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Apr 4, 2008 9:12 am US/Eastern

Rip Current Danger High At So. Fla. Beaches

Click Here On What You Need To Know About Rip Currents

Miami-Dade Beaches Experienced Rip Currents As Well

MIAMI (CBS4) ― The rip current danger on South Florida beaches has been raised to high after a week that saw almost a dozen people nearly drown due to dangers rip currents.

In Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, rip currents caused by high winds, choppy surf, threatened two children in the water who later told police they were fine on Wednesday. On Tuesday, over a handful of reports arose of people caught in those currents at low spots or breaks in sandbars near jetties and piers.

Over 100 drownings due to rip currents occur every year in the U.S. More than 80 percent of water rescues on surf beaches are due to rip currents.

In Broward County, at least nine people were reported helped by rescue officials Tuesday near Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. Rescue crews worked to revive a man who nearly drowned. Officials said he was trying to save a 10-year-old Kevin Munson, who was swimming and got caught in the current.

"When I went out there this wave just forced me back, and then this man came and as soon as he got to me, a big wave came we were separated," said Munson. "And he went under water for five minutes."

When the victim went under water, Alan Steiner, rushed in the water to try to save him. Steiner performed CPR on the victim, who has not been identified. The victim was later transferred to a local hospital. There is no word on his condition.

The Auto Pulse is a new CPR device that has been put into use by Broward Fire Rescue in many of these cases. The machine emulates the same pressure a human would put on the chest of a CPR patient to stimulate their heart, but with exact pressure and without getting tired. The device is credited for saving at least one life this week.

Strong winds have prompted the National Weather Service to issue a warning that there is a high risk of rip currents at South Florida beaches.
Winds of 20 to 25 mph with higher gusts over the Atlantic will produce waves of 6 to 8 feet.

Rip currents are narrow bands of water that pull you away from shore. Red flags are put up by life guards along the beaches.

Click Here to learn more about rip currents and how to survive if you're caught in one.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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