Algeria Issues Urgent Beach Safety Protocols Amid Rip Current Warnings

Algeria's National Civil Protection Office (ONPC) has issued a stark warning about the invisible threat of "baïnes," commonly known as rip currents, which pose a significant drowning risk to beachgoers. The office's special security bulletin, released on Friday, July 10, 2026, emphasizes the extreme danger these powerful water channels present.

Described as narrow, fast, and violent corridors of water, rip currents can rapidly pull even strong swimmers out to sea. The ONPC highlights that their suction force is so intense it can destabilize and sweep adults away, regardless of their swimming ability. To mitigate these risks, the civil protection has outlined a strict code of conduct for beach safety.

Swimmers are strongly advised against entering the water near structures like breakwaters, rocky areas, port navigation channels, or river mouths, as these can alter the seabed and create dangerous turbulence. Adherence to beach signage is mandatory; a red flag signifies a complete prohibition of swimming due to hazardous conditions. The ONPC also stresses the critical importance of constant, close visual supervision of children by parents or guardians.

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The error most frequent, often fatal, consists in panicking and trying to swim against the current directly towards the beach, a superhuman effort that leads to cardiac arrest and drowning.

The survival protocol for those caught in a baïne is crucial. The ONPC notes that the most common and often fatal mistake is panicking and attempting to swim directly back to shore against the current, leading to exhaustion and drowning. Instead, the recommended technique is to remain calm, float temporarily, identify the current's direction, and swim laterally, parallel to the shoreline. This allows swimmers to exit the narrow channel of the rip current and reach calmer waters, where they can use the waves to return to safety.

Additionally, the office cautions against swimming when fatigued, experiencing cramps, or immediately after prolonged sun exposure to prevent thermal shock and hydrocution. The bulletin also reminds the public about the dangers of items like glasses or glass bottles in direct sunlight, which can act as magnifying glasses and ignite fires, and reiterates the illegality of discarding cigarette butts in natural environments.

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The only technical escape consists in letting yourself float temporarily, identifying the axis of the current, then swimming strictly parallel to the shore (laterally).