🏖️ Beach Safety Stations
To help keep beachgoers safe, the Town of Holden Beach and Tri-Beach Fire Department have installed Beach Safety Stations along the entire length of the island, spaced approximately 600 feet apart.
Each station serves as an essential resource for monitoring surf conditions and providing emergency rescue equipment right on the sand.
📋 What You’ll Find at Every Station
📱 Live Rip Current Updates (QR Code): Scan the QR code located on the bottom left of the sign with your smartphone to immediately view the current live rip current risk level, or visit tribeachfire.com/beachwater-safety.
🚩 Rip Current Risk Flag Guide:
🔴 High (Red): Life-threatening rip currents are likely. Stay out of the water.
🟡 Moderate (Yellow): Life-threatening rip currents are possible. Use extreme caution.
🟢 Low (Green): The risk of rip currents is low; however, life-threatening rip currents may still occur.
🛟 Emergency Rescue Flotation Tube: Each post is equipped with a bright red rescue flotation tube. If someone chooses to enter the water to assist a swimmer in distress, this device is designed to provide critical flotation.
🚨 How to Use the Emergency Rescue Tube
Call 911 First: Always dial 911 (or ensure someone on shore is calling 911) before entering the water.
Secure the Strap: Place the attached tow line securely across your body before entering the water.
Tow & Swim: Pull the rescue tube behind you as you swim out, and kick across the current toward shore when returning.
Return After Use: Please return the flotation tube to its post immediately after use.
🔍 Daily Maintenance & Reporting
During the summer months, local fire crews inspect every safety station daily to ensure all signage is intact and rescue equipment is present and ready for emergency use.
Notice Damage or Missing Equipment?
If you notice a safety station that is damaged or missing its rescue flotation tube, please contact the Tri-Beach Fire Department at 910-842-2333 immediately so it can be serviced.
🪧 Public Beach Access Safety Signs
Before stepping onto the sand, beachgoers will find Rip Current Risk Level signs prominently posted at every public beach access point across Holden Beach.
Presented jointly by the Town of Holden Beach and the Tri-Beach Fire Department, these signs provide immediate safety guidance so you can make informed decisions before entering the surf.
🚩 Understanding the Risk Levels
🔴 High (Red Flag): Life-threatening rip currents are likely. Stay out of the water.
🟡 Moderate (Yellow Flag): Life-threatening rip currents are possible. Use extreme caution.
🟢 Low (Green Flag): The risk of rip currents is low; however, life-threatening rip currents may still occur.
📲 Check Real-Time Surf Conditions
At the bottom of each access sign, you'll find a scannable QR code. Simply open your phone's camera and scan the code to view the live, up-to-date risk level forecast, or visit tribeachfire.com/beachwater-safety directly.
↔️ Locating Nearby Safety Equipment
Need emergency rescue gear?
Look at the bottom of the sign for directional arrows pointing along the shore to the nearest Safety Stations on Beach Strand—where rescue flotation tubes and emergency instructions are stationed every ~600 feet.
Reminder: Swimmers should ALWAYS use caution and swim at their own risk.