What is a rip current and how do I spot one?
離岸流是什麼，要怎樣才能發現？
Rip currents or 'rips' are formed when the water that has come into the beach needs to escape and go back out to the ocean. As that water heads back out, it forms a channel that takes it out to sea at speed, even the strongest swimmers can struggle, and that is a rip. The water in a rip often looks darker in colour because it is deeper and calmer as there are no waves breaking. The rip will usually slow down and stop out the back of where all the waves are breaking. Rips are marked on the beaches with large ‘Dangerous Current’ signs.
當水流進入海灘，並需要返回海洋時，就會形成離岸流。當海水流回大海時，就會形成坑道，快速流向大海，即使最強健的泳手也難逃一劫。離岸流的海水通常看起來更深色，因為沒有形成海浪，令它更深更平靜。離岸流通常都在破浪處慢下來並停止。離岸流會在海灘上禁以「危險海流」標示。