As Hurricane Erin kicks off this year’s Atlantic hurricane season, the American Lifeguard Association (ALA) is urging the public to follow critical beach safety practices. Wyatt Werneth, National Spokesperson for the ALA, appeared yesterday in live interviews with both MSN and AccuWeather, highlighting the importance of understanding the beach flag system and how to respond to rip currents.

Beach Flags: A Universal Warning System

Beach flags are the simplest way lifeguards communicate current conditions. Green flags signal calm waters, yellow indicates caution, red warns of high hazard, and double red closes the water entirely. Purple flags mean dangerous marine life. “These flags aren’t suggestions—they’re lifesaving alerts,” Werneth explained. “Respect them, and you reduce your risk dramatically.”

ALA’s Water Safety Checklist

Werneth outlined a practical list of safety measures for all beachgoers:

Learn to Swim America – Enroll in lessons to build confidence and reduce risk.

Know Before You Go – Always check forecasts, weather conditions, and flag warnings.

Swim in Front of a Lifeguard – Lifeguard-protected areas are the safest.

Where There Is a Dip, There Is a Rip – Watch for low areas where rip currents often form.

If Caught in a Rip, Think R.I.P. – Relax, Indicate you need help, Parallel swim to shore.

Know Your Limitations – If in doubt, don’t go out.

Assign a Water Watcher – A responsible adult should monitor swimmers.

Use Coast Guard–Approved Life Jackets – Especially for kids and novice swimmers.

Rip Currents Explained

Rip currents are fast-moving channels of water that flow away from shore. They don’t pull swimmers under, but they can quickly carry them outward. Panic is the greatest danger. Werneth emphasized the R.I.P. method as the key to surviving—relax, indicate, and parallel swim.

Hurricane Erin and Public Awareness

With Hurricane Erin generating strong surf and unpredictable conditions, lifeguards and weather experts stress the importance of adhering to closures and advisories. Werneth praised media outlets for their role in public education: “The coverage by AccuWeather and MSN saves lives. The more people understand what these flags mean, the safer our beaches will be.”

Final Word

The ALA’s message is clear: respect the flag system, swim only near lifeguards, and prepare before entering the ocean. With education and awareness, most drowning incidents can be prevented.