Published: Friday, July 5, 2013 at 6:56 p.m. Last Modified: Friday, July 5, 2013 at 6:56 p.m.

In all of 2012 six people drowned at life-guarded beaches from Virginia to Florida, according to the U.S. Lifesaving Association.

In two days this week four people drowned at Brunswick County beaches, victims of deadly rip currents.

We've had a season's worth of drownings in basically a 24-hour period, Anthony Marzano, Brunswick County Emergency Management director, said Friday.

It is impossible to say whether having lifeguards or warning flags at Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach, where the deaths occurred Wednesday and Thursday, would have made any difference. Despite this, the county and beach communities are rethinking the ways they keep vacationers and residents safe.

After the string of ocean rescues and deaths multiple Brunswick officials referred to as tragic, the Brunswick Beach Consortium, an unofficial board of all county beach communities, is set to discuss hiring lifeguards or putting up warning flags at its next meeting at the end of July.

I think we will consider anything, said Ocean Isle Mayor Debbie Smith. We will consider all available options to ensure the safety of our visitors and residents.

Some Brunswick beaches have beach patrols and ocean rescue squads, but no dedicated lifeguards or other personnel to warn swimmers of rip current conditions or other threats.

Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach in New Hanover County have lifeguards who fly red, yellow or green flags to inform swimmers of water conditions.

The latest statistics available from the N.C. Center for Health Statistics show that in 2011 there were 123 drownings statewide, including pools and all bodies of water. Of those, Brunswick County had two drownings, New Hanover County had four drownings, three people drowned in Pender County and one person drowned in Columbus County.

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Are Brunswick County beaches as safe as they could be?