Project Complete
Project Lead
Summer Locknick, University of Windsor
Academic Partner
Christopher Houser, University of Windsor
Call
Fathom Fund (2019)
Rip currents are strong, narrow, seaward flows of water found on many beaches around the world. Where present, they are the main hazard to recreational swimmers and bathers and are recognized as being a serious public health issue worldwide. When they form, these currents extend from the shoreline and can flow at speeds easily capable of carrying swimmers a significant distance away from the shoreline. If that person is a weak swimmer, or tries to fight the current, they may become stressed and start experiencing symptoms of panic(such as increased adrenaline). This impairs the ability of the swimmer to think logically and rationally, which makes it difficult for them to effectively evaluate their situation and escape the rip unaided.
The number of drownings believed to be associated with rip currents exceed 100 per year in the United States, and 44 in Canada. Recent evidence collected by the Coastal Research Group at the University of Windsor suggests that most beach-goers are unaware of rip currents and other surf hazards and are unable to identify those hazards. Even when warning systems are in place, tourist destinations with public beach access can have a significant number of rip related rescues and drownings.It is not known if beach users are aware of the dangers of the beach they are visiting or observe the warnings systems in place, but there is a need to understand how to change the behavior of beach users to reduce the number of rescues and drownings.The purpose of this project is to quantify the spatial correspondence of beach users and their knowledge of rip currents and other beach hazards, relative to the location of rip currents at popular tourist beaches along the north coast of PEI.
