Date of Award

10-30-2020

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.Sc.

Department

Earth and Environmental Sciences

Keywords

Coastal, Drowning, Health Hazard, Prince Edward Island, Rip Current

Supervisor

Chris Houser

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess

Abstract

Rip currents are an emerging public health hazard, with the potential to have serious socioeconomic impacts on coastal communities globally. Rip currents, colloquially known as rips, are common along the north shore of Prince Edward Island, and are associated with a transverse bar and rip morphology that tends to develop as the bars migrate landward following winter storms. The rip morphology tends to develop at the height of the economically important tourist season. Several drownings have occurred within and adjacent to Prince Edward Island National Park (PEINP) in recent years, and they have been attributed to rip currents at or near the primary access points to the beach. Whether someone drowns or is in need of rescue depends on a complex interplay between the physical presence of the rip, the management of the specific beach and the perceptions of the beach user. This study is the first to examine the relationship amongst the presence and location of rips, beach user intentions and behaviour, and the lifeguard-defined hazard level. Beach user surveys were administered over a four-week period at the popular tourist beaches of Cavendish Beach and Brackley Beach within PEINP, with an objective to analyze the spatial and temporal variation of beach users with respect to their understanding of the rip hazard, warnings posted by the lifeguards and quasi-permanent rips at the sites. Results suggests that the intention of a beach user to be safe at the beach may not accurately reflect their actions. Many beach users surveyed in this study did not pay attention to beach warnings and appear to be influenced by other factors that confirmed their assumption that the beach was safe. Those who did not observe the sign tended to sit further away from the access point compared to those who saw the signs. Tourists were also found to be at higher risk of needing rescue or drowning caused by rip currents due to their lack of rip knowledge and their inability to recall the location and colour of warning flags and rip signage. Further research into the correspondence of beach user perception, lifesaving strategies and rip currents can help reduce the number of drownings related to rip currents and other surf hazards through the effective deployment of lifesaving strategies and increase public confidence in rip hazard predictions.

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