Stalking a Killer That Lurks a Few Feet Offshore.

Discusses the dangers of rip currents in the U.S. Information on rip currents, which can form anywhere there is a channel in the ocean floor or along a permanent fixture like a pier; Observation that few people recognize rip currents as a major hazard; How rip currents form; Efforts of researchers to devise ways of predicting when and where rip currents are likely to occur; Advice on surviving rip currents; Views of experts; How rip current drowning and near drownings occur on every state with an ocean coast, most often in California and Florida. INSETS: Lethal Currents;Surviving Rip Currents.