December 2009 (ROTM #12) Don’t Get Sucked in by the Rip

In ROTM#7 I mentioned a research project that was designed to improve people’s ability to spot rips. The study was done as part of an ARC (Australian Research Council) Linkage Project with the University of New South Wales and Surf Life Saving Australia.

 It involved doing surveys of beachgoers at two locations in NSW, Australia: the south coast and the mid-north coast. Based on those results, we found that most people had a poor understanding of rip currents. The following summer we devised a rip current education campaign called ‘Don’t Get Sucked in By the Rip’ and put up posters and brochures all over the mid-north coast location. The south coast didn’t get any information. The idea was to see if a dedicated campaign would improve beachgoers knowledge and awareness of rip currents.

 We haven’t published the results yet, but it looks like it did. This picture is the main image used in the campaign. Do you think it’s effective?

Personally I think this is an awesome rip current poster!