Abstract
This study investigates fatalities due to rip currents on the Black Sea coast of Istanbul. Results include the incidence rate of fatalities from rip currents, their causes, temporal and spatial distributions. The data shows that, nearly 70% of all drowning fatalities are associated with rip currents, and that on the average 33 people reportedly die from rip currents each year in Istanbul Black Sea coast. Thus, considering the wind speeds versus rip current fatalities, about one third of the fatalities occur when the wind speed is between 1.5-2.0 m/s. For the wind speeds 1.0-1.5 m/s the rip current magnitude is not too intense so people consider themselves capable enough to swim but for poor swimmers this is the most dangerous case. Nearly 60% of the fatalities in this wind speed interval is found to be children.
Highlights
There are numerous articles in the literature regarding rip currents, their formation, and related incidents. Gensini and Ashley (2010) analyze fatalities caused by rip currents in the United States between the period 1994-2007. Sherker et al (2010) assess the beliefs and behaviors of Australian beachgoers in relation to beach flags and rip currents. Miloshis and Stephenson (2011) suggest rip current escape strategies as "do nothing" and "swim parallel to the beach"
The aim of this work is to investigate rip currents fatalities in the gendarmerie region of Istanbul Black Sea coast, and to form a framework of the fatal rip currents so that when the beachgoers fit in risk window, extra precautions can be taken in order to minimize the occurrence of drownings and related fatalities
Gendarmerie hazard event records show that 68% of all drowning fatalities are associated with rip currents and that on average 33 people die from rip currents each year on the Black Sea beaches of Istanbul. 54% of fatalities are between the ages 18-35 years old
Summary
There are numerous articles in the literature regarding rip currents, their formation, and related incidents. Gensini and Ashley (2010) analyze fatalities caused by rip currents in the United States between the period 1994-2007. Sherker et al (2010) assess the beliefs and behaviors of Australian beachgoers in relation to beach flags and rip currents. Miloshis and Stephenson (2011) suggest rip current escape strategies as "do nothing" and "swim parallel to the beach". The aim of this work is to investigate rip currents fatalities in the gendarmerie region of Istanbul Black Sea coast, and to form a framework of the fatal rip currents so that when the beachgoers fit in risk window, extra precautions can be taken in order to minimize the occurrence of drownings and related fatalities. ISTANBUL BLACK SEA COAST RIP CURRENT INCIDENTS This study examines fatalities due to rip currents in the gendarmerie region of the Black Sea coasts of Istanbul during the period of 2007-2013. The Istanbul Gendarmerie Command’s hazard event records are examined to classify rip current fatalities on the Black Sea beaches of Istanbul during the period of 2007-2013. Gendarmerie hazard event records show that 68% of all drowning fatalities are associated with rip currents and that on average 33 people die from rip currents each year on the Black Sea beaches of Istanbul.
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