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The signs of a rip current and how to survive

Rip currents account for dozens of senseless deaths each year. Know the signs of a rip current, and how to escape safely.

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. - Hot, summer days usually mean packed, sandy beaches along Lake Michigan, but those sunny, calm days can turn dangerous and sometimes deadly.

Rip currents are a common term along ocean coastlines, but can also happen in the Great Lakes. Since 2010, over 600 people have drowned because of a rip current, and Lake Michigan is responsible for nearly half of those deaths.

Back in 2003, Grand Haven High School senior Andy Fox drowned after struggling to swim back to shore. It was later learned that Andy fought against a rip current.

"Unfortunately he didn't have the awareness of what a rip current was," said Fox's mom, Vicki Cech.

Vicki has become a huge advocate for rip current awareness since her son's death.

"We wanted to make sure there was awareness and to know what to do to get out of it so you can save your life, because you can if you know what to do," added Cech.

A rip current is a strong, narrow current of water, traveling faster than anyone can swim. These currents can move a swimmer hundreds of feet away from shore in a short period of time.

If you're caught in a rip current, don't panic. Flip onto your back and float with the current until it releases you. Then swim parallel to shore away from the narrow current.

Thanks to Vicki's efforts, there are now life rings along Grand Haven State Beach.

"One of the first things we wanted to do was get life rings up on the pier and along the beach because there wasn't anything to save Andy that day," said Cech.

Rip currents don't form in inclement weather. Rather, they tend to form on calm, sunny days. Waves as low as two to three feet can create rip currents.

Check out current beach conditions

Local beaches will change swim flags between green, yellow and red depending on the water conditions. Use extreme caution in the water when red flags are flying.

Here's more about Great Lakes water safety.

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