With summer fully underway many of us will be thinking of heading out to a beach to enjoy some of the warm weather.

Swimming out in the sea is often one of the appeals of heading out to the beach in the first place, but being aware of potential dangers is crucial.

Being pulled out to sea a riptide is one of them, so here's what it is and how you can spot one so you can avoid it.

What is a rip tide?

A rip tide is described by Surfer Today as "a powerful current caused by the tide pulling water through an inlet along a barrier beach."

"When there is a falling or ebbing tide, the water flows strongly through an inlet toward the ocean, especially one stabilized by jetties," it adds.

Great British Life: Rip tides and currents can be powerful in surfRip tides and currents can be powerful in surf (Image: Canva)

This is slightly different from rip currents which are "strong currents running out to sea, which can quickly drag people and debris away from the shallows of the shoreline and out to deeper water" as the RNLI define it.

Both are dangerous and can pull people out to see when they are swimming if they are not careful.

They are powerful in larger surf but they can also be created around river mouths, estuaries and man-made structures like piers and groynes.

How to spot and avoid a rip tide or rip current?

The RNLI states that rip tides and currents can be tricky to spot but can be identified by a "channel of churning, choppy water on the sea's surface."

It is recommended to swim at lifeguarded beaches and between the red and yellow flags, which have been marked based on where is safer to swim in the current conditions.

This should also make it easier to spot you if you do end up getting into trouble.

What to do if you get caught in a rip current?

The RNLI suggest not swimming against a rip current if you do end up in one as it will likely just leave you exhausted.

Instead, if you can, swim parallel to the shore until free of the rip and then head for shore.

Additionally, raise your hand above your head and shout for help.

If you can stand in the water when caught in the rip current then wade rather than swim