Ocean City, Maryland, lifeguards rescued a record number of people over the weekend as strong rip currents pulled many swimmers out to sea.

Lifeguards pulled about 1,500 people from the water over four days -- about ten times the normal amount, according to the Ocean City Beach Patrol. No one drowned.

"Here in Ocean City, we've never had such rough oceans with such large waves, with the amount of rip currents it created for this period of time," Ocean City Beach Patrol Captain Butch Arbin said.

The rip currents were blamed on Tropical Storm Bertha's churning of the Atlantic Ocean.

"I was under a wave at first and I got pulled in," said tourist Nick Alzano. Once you get sucked in, you can't really get out. I started panicking which made it worse."

Rip currents form when water that was pushed on shore retreats seaward. More water being pushed on shore creates stronger rip currents.

The beach patrol also says lifeguards have seen an increasing number of neck and back injuries because of shore break, waves that crest at the water's edge.

"Someone riding a boogey board or body surfing will suddenly find him or herself being thrown headfirst at the beach," Arbin said.

The beach patrol said it never really considered closing the beach because of the rip currents. Officials say the rip currents are rarely life-threatening. Instead the beach patrol chose to bring people in from the water and give them a safety lecture.

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