"Rip currents are like narrow rivers of water that start near the beach and flow offshore various distances beyond the breaking waves. They commonly occur in deeper channels that are cut between sandbars, which means waves don't break as much in the rip current – this means that beachgoers often mistake them as the safest areas to swim because the water looks so calm when compared to the breaking waves either side," he says.
One of the study collaborators, Professor Rob Brander from UNSW Sydney believes that teaching people to understand and identify rip currents is "extremely important," as many people continue to swim at non-lifeguarded beaches and outside of patrol hours.
SLSNZ's chief operations officer Adam Wooler agrees.
"Rip currents account for about 80 per cent of the rescues our lifeguards perform each year," says Wooler, who believes many of these rescues are the result of people not knowing how to spot a rip.
The researchers also looked at whether people were better able to identify the rip current in a static photograph, as this was the main way many Kiwis are taught about rips – and these sorts of images feature prominently on warning signs.
The study found two-thirds of people that could see the rip current in the photographs could not pick one out in real life.
"This finding is a real concern and has implications for how we should educate people about rip currents in the future," says Mr Wooler.
"It also reiterates that the best way to stay safe at the beach this summer is to choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the flags."
IF YOU DO GET CAUGHT IN A RIP, REMEMBER THE 3Rs:
RELAX and float to conserve your energy
RAISE your hand to signal for help
RIDE the rip until it stops and you can swim back to shore or help arrives
