Beachgoer's recognition of rip current hazard at Miami Beach, Florida

Rip currents are the number one hazard to bathers at surf beaches. They form as water trapped on the beach moves in a concentrated flow offshore. Miami Beach, Florida is a popular tourist destination and also one of the most deadly beaches in the United States regarding rip-related fatalities. In this study, surveys were used to quantify the public's recognition of rip currents based on factors that included their sociodemographic composition and behavioral characteristics. The responses were analyzed using regression models, which tended to indicate that education level, rip current literacy, and confidence in spotting a rip influenced the beachgoer's ability to recognize a rip current. However, the multivariate model showed a person's education is the only significant variable. A beachgoer's verbal understanding of rip currents does not relate to their visual recognition ability and vice versa. This survey has gathered valuable information that can be used by Miami Beach to create rip current awareness programs that target the most at-risk populations.