Beach safety knowledge of visiting international study abroad students to Australia

Abstract

International visitors are a particularly at-risk group when visiting Australian beaches due to poor knowledge of beach safety practices and hazards and typically comprise ∼10% of annual coastal drowning fatalities. This study examines beach safety knowledge and behaviour of visiting international Study Abroad students at UNSW Sydney, Australia in 2017. Data was obtained from online surveys of 254 students. The vast majority (92%) received no beach safety information prior to leaving for Australia, 85% arrived with no knowledge of the Australian beach safety flag system, and only 24% were able to correctly describe hazardous rip currents. A safety briefing soon after arrival in Australia, as well as visiting Australian beaches, improved knowledge and awareness: after these experiences only 20% were still unfamiliar with the flag system and correct description of rip currents rose to 60%. These findings have global implications for educating all types of international visitors about beach safety.