While vacationing on the outer banks of North Carolina a rip current developed at the beach where I was swimming. There were more than a dozen children who became panicked, more than the Lifeguards could assist. People were being pulled under and down along the bottom, and then they struggled to regain the surface. This was extremely tiring, and getting nowhere. After about fifteen minutes of continuous struggle to bring people to shore the Lifeguards were getting worn out. Then several Dolphins appeared and began nudging smaller people and children toward shore. They helped at least five people that I saw. Then the rip current subsided and the Dolphins left. People began packing and leaving the beach, relieved to be safe and afraid to go in the water any further that day.