BREVARD COUNTY, FL -- Local and visiting beachgoers are strongly encouraged to swim responsibly.

As the weather warms and spring break approaches, residents and visitors need to be mindful of rip currents. Rip currents are areas of fast-moving water that have the potential to pull swimmers out and away from the beach. 

Rip current safety tips:

• Check flags and with lifeguards to assess the risk of rip currents.
• Never swim alone.
• Be rip current wary. Look for darker or lighter areas that are calmer than surrounding waves. These can be indicators of rip currents.
• If you are caught in a rip current, stay calm and float or tread water until the current weakens, then swim parallel to the shoreline to get out of the rip current and then swim to shore.
• If you are unable to help yourself, wave or yell for help.
• Only swim at a beach where lifeguards are present. 

Brevard County Ocean Rescue currently staffs the following beaches daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Cocoa Beach Pier
• Shepard Park
• Lori Wilson Park
• Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach
• Paradise Beach Park

Remember, when in doubt, don't go out.

The National Weather Service offers more rip current safety information and a useful rip current toolkit.