SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — While it didn’t make landfall down the shore, nearly two dozen swimmers on Long Beach Island had to be rescued from rip currents caused by Hurricane Ernesto over the weekend.
The tropical storm regained strength as a hurricane and sent powerful swells up the Atlantic coast, catching many swimmers off guard.
John S. Ross, interim captain of the Barnegat Light Beach Patrol, said he and two other lifeguards rescued a pair of older swimmers on Long Beach Island Saturday.
“Everything was fine, and then these rip currents opened up relatively quickly and they were pulled pretty far out,” he said.
One of those lifeguards, Bob Selfridge, helped save two more people on Sunday. The Barnegat Light First Aid Squad said two men got stuck when the tide came in on the south jetty at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park.
“We climbed up onto the monument, secured the patients with life vests. The Coast Guard helicopter showed up and they were able to airlift from the south monument to the beach, where EMS was waiting for them,” he said.
One man had minor injuries. The other was OK.
Ross said the risk for beachgoers will increase because of a personnel shortage: “We normally have a 60-guard patrol. I think this week I will have 27 guards available, so I’m down to half.”
Ross attributes that decrease to school and fall sports set to start back up again.
If you ever find yourself stuck in a rip current, Ross said it’s important to keep your composure.
“It’s very difficult to maintain your calm. But that’s the idea — float, stay calm and wait for help. Don’t try to fight it,” he advised.
Ross also said you should never swim at an unguarded beach, and he suggested bringing a flotation device like a boogie board with you into the water.