An examination of rip current fatalities in the United States

Abstract

This study analyzes fatalities caused by rip currents in the conterminous United States for the period 1994-2007. Results include the frequency of fatalities from rip currents, their cause, and their unique spatial distributions. An analysis of historical hazard event data illustrate that, on average, 35 people reportedly die from rip currents each year in the United States. Also, similar to other hazard events where unique differences in gender vulnerability have been found, men are over six times more likely to fall victim to a deadly rip current than females. Rip current fatalities are most common in the southeastern United States, with a nonuniform spatial distribution along other Atlantic, Pacific, and Great Lakes coastlines. Physical vulnerabilities are suggested as the primary cause for the unique fatality distribution found. Temporally, summer season weekends are shown to have the more fatalities than any other time of the year. A classification scheme was developed to categorize synoptic-scale weather conditions present during deadly rip current events. More than 70% of all rip current fatalities are associated with onshore winds. Specifically, a rip current fatality is most likely when a surface high pressure system creates these onshore winds. The quality of the fatality reporting database available for researchers is also assessed.

Rip current related drowning deaths and rescues in Australia 2004–2011

“…Klein et al, 2003;Sherker et al, 2008;Gensini and Ashley, 2010;Scott et al, 2009;Brander et al, 2011). These strong, narrow seaward-flowing currents occur on any beach characterised by waves breaking across a wide area and can occur during conditions of both low and high wave energy conditions on many different types of beaches (Short, 2007).…”

“…For example, in the United States it is widely reported by the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) that the annual number of fatalities due to rip currents exceeds 100 (Brewster, 2010) and Lushine et al (1999) estimated this number to be closer to 150. However, using an analysis of historical hazard event data, Gensini and Ashley (2010) suggested that on average 35 people die from rip currents each year in the US. The discrepancy in these estimates is significant and, depending on which estimate is reported by the media, may have implications towards the perceived severity of the hazard to the general public, the funding and sponsorship of valuable rip current public education programs, and the provision of lifeguarding services A similar situation exists in Australia.…”

Surveying rip current survivors: preliminary insights into the experiences of being caught in rip currents

“…However, it should be noted that these values are likely under-estimated given that accurate incident reporting of rip current drowning is difficult and many beach drowning due to unknown causes are likely due to rip currents. Gensini and Ashley (2010) describe a similar scenario for rip current drowning fatalities in the United States. For this reason, we simply do not know the actual number of people who drown in rip currents globally, although Fletemeyer and Leatherman (2010) estimate that the annual number exceeds 1000.…”

Brief Communication: A new perspective on the Australian rip current hazard

“…For example, based on an analysis of natural hazard and media report databases, Gensini and Ashley (2009) suggested that an average of 35 people per year drown in rip currents on beaches in the United States. This is in contrast to the commonly reported approximate value of 100 by the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA; Brewster, 2010) and 150 reported by Lushine (1991).…”