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Rip currents can be killers. The United States Lifesaving Association estimates that the annual number of deaths due to rip currents on our nation's beaches exceeds 100. Rip currents account for over 80% of rescues performed by surf beach lifeguards.

The greatest safety precaution that can be taken is to recognize the danger of rip currents and always remember to swim at beaches with lifeguards. The United States Lifesaving Association has calculated the chance that a person will drown while attending a beach protected by USLA affiliated lifeguards at 1 in 18 million. If caught in a rip current at an unguarded beach, how you respond could make the difference between life and death.

NOAA's National Weather Service and National Sea Grant Program, in partnership with the United States Lifesaving Association, are working together to raise awareness about the dangers of rip currents. Research is also being conducted in order to develop and improve the ability to predict the occurrence and strength of rip currents. The goal of the awareness campaign and research is to reduce the number of rip current related fatalities.

A daily rip current outlook is included in the Surf Zone Forecast, which is issued by many National Weather Service offices. A three-tiered structure of low, moderate, high is used to describe the rip current risk. This outlook is communicated to lifeguards, emergency management, media and the general public.

With increasing coastal populations, rip currents will continue to be a serious hazard at surf beaches. This web site is designed to provide educational material as well as real time information about the rip current risk. The time you take to understand rip currents can help you protect yourself and your loved ones when visiting the beaches.

Visit Gulf Specimen Aquarium!
Most folks don’t know about this wonderful educational exhibit! Recently the Gulf Specimen Marine lab has been an informative and fun destination for an increasing numbers of schools in the Florida panhandle. It is now open to the public, enabling people to see many local marine animals for the first time!

Most of us have never seen what lives in a sea grass meadow or on a limestone outcrop - the tiny green shrimp and scarlet sponges, the crystal and glittering comb jellyfish. The very existence of most of these thousands of different life forms is unknown to all but a few scientists. Or if we do see a picture of one of them, its bizarre body form makes it hard to understand and relate to it. As they slowly fade away due to our carelessness, it pretty much goes unnoticed.

At Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory in Panacea, you begin to get a better sense of what's really there. Located on a quiet back street between the highway and the bay, the marine lab houses a collection of sea water tanks and aquariums. Water bubbles and flows in a swirl that sustains unique collections of the bizarre and the beautiful. Unlike most big public aquariums that emphasize porpoises and big fishes, they focus on seahorses and hermit crabs, emerald eyed spiny box fish, electric rays and red and white spotted calico crabs - all the endless living treasure of north Florida's still shining coast! A great place to visit – for children and adults!

Hours: Monday - Friday 9 AM to 5 PM • Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM • Sunday 12 Noon to 4 PM Aquarium is closed to the public on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day Admission: $6.00 for adults age 12+ • $4.00 children 3 - 11 yrs.• No charge for children under 3