Beach Safety Debuts Rip Current Simulator to Boost Ocean Safety Education

Posted On: March 8, 2026

Volusia County Beach Safety is taking a hands-on approach to ocean safety education, debuting a new rip current simulator at the Daytona State College (DSC) Aquatic Center that lets participants safely experience what a real rip current feels like – before they ever encounter one in the ocean.

The simulator recreates the force and movement of a rip current in a controlled pool environment, giving participants a realistic sense of how a rip current behaves and, more importantly, how to respond to one safely. During the demonstration, Lifeguard Hailey Monahan put the simulator through its paces in the DSC pool, while Beach Safety Director Tammy Malphurs and Deputy Chief A.J. Miller walked members of the news media through how it works and what Beach Safety hopes to accomplish with it.

Beach Safety staff used the event to demonstrate proper escape techniques and reinforce a key message that holds true in any rip current situation: Stay calm, don't fight the current, and follow safety guidance.

The simulator will become a fixture in upcoming community education classes, with the goal of increasing public awareness, reducing panic in emergency situations, and helping residents and visitors feel more confident and prepared in the water.

The purchase was covered through a grant from the Florida Department of Children and Families, making the investment part of Volusia County's broader commitment to proactive, education-based safety initiatives. Through ongoing outreach and training, Beach Safety continues to equip the community with the knowledge needed to stay safe along Volusia County's world-famous shores.