Safety Flags Research Articles

STUDY OF DETERMINING RISK LEVEL REGARDING SWIMMING CONDITION ON BATHING BEACH USING AI

In Japan, 2,000 to 3,000 drowning accidents occur every summer season at major bathing beaches. In order to prevent drowning accidents, beachgoers themselves need to be aware of the dangers and avoid them. As a way to do this, bathing beaches provide daily risk levels regarding swimming conditions to beachgoers using three levels of beach safety flags. However, the risk levels are determined subjectively and empirically by lifesavers and beach administrators based on weather and sea conditions. The characteristics of past drowning accidents are not taken into account. In this study, we suggest an objective method of determining the risk levels based on the probability of drowning accidents. We have created an AI model that can predict the probability of drowning accidents with high accuracy using a total of 53 features such as usage, weather and sea conditions of a study beach in Japan. This method enables appropriate judgment of swimming conditions to prevent many drowning accidents. The reliability of the model was examined using XAI, and it was found that time series of rescue factors were important in predictions. On the other hand, the accuracy decreased when the created AI model was applied to other beaches. It was thought to be caused by differences in the natural environment such as waves and wind.

Engaging beachgoers for drowning prevention: the spillover effects on non-participants

ABSTRACT Despite reduced drowning incidence at lifeguard patrolled beaches, 71 drowning fatalities occurred on Australian beaches last year (2021–2022). Prevailing drowning prevention practices on beaches include patrolling lifeguards positioning safety flags in less hazardous locations and encouraging beachgoers to swim between them. Such methods represent a ‘deficit based’ approach to community engagement, in which experts determine acceptable behaviours and encourage adherence using a one-way transfer of information. Deficit based approaches can be useful, but participatory forms of community engagement are hypothesised to support learning that can transfer to other locations and through non-participants’ social networks. Using a lifeguard patrolled beach in Gerroa, Australia as a case study, we employed a ‘relationship building’ methodology to explore whether engagements on the beach can prompt transformational learning and whether such learning spills over to non-participants or to unpatrolled locations. Findings from 49 survey-interview engagements and 15 follow-up interviews suggest that building relationships with researchers is an enjoyable form of community engagement that contributes to learning about risk; simultaneously, findings suggest that learning can transform beachgoers’ intentions and practices at unpatrolled beaches. This paper provides a broadened theoretical and empirical model of community engagement aimed at beach drowning risk prevention via relationship building.

Awareness without learning: A preliminary study exploring the effects of beachgoer's experiences on risk taking behaviours

Most drowning deaths on Australian beaches occur in locations not patrolled by lifeguards. At patrolled locations, where lifeguards supervise flagged areas in which beachgoers are encouraged to swim between, the incidence of drowning is reduced. To date, risk prevention practices on coasts focus on patrolled beaches, deploying warning signs at unpatrolled locations with the aim of raising public awareness of risk. What remains unexplored is the potential for learning and behaviour change that can transfer from patrolled to unpatrolled beaches through beachgoer's experiences and interactions with lifeguards. The aim of this preliminary study is to explore the risk perceptions of beachgoers at a patrolled beach to establish if and how their experiences of beach risk and interactions with lifeguards affect their behaviours. Data was collected in Gerroa, Australia by engaging 49 beachgoers using a mixed survey-interview methodology. Results show that beachgoers are aware that they should ‘swim between the flags’, but many did not know the basis for the positioning of safety flags. A key finding is that beachgoer's express a clear desire for a skills-based model of community engagement that enables learning with lifeguards. This demonstrates a reflective public that desires skill-development, which may transfer from patrolled to unpatrolled beaches to affect broader risk reduction on the Australian coast. Learning how to avoid site-specific rip hazards with lifeguards at the beach presents a promising, and previously unexplored model for beach drowning risk prevention that has the potential to affect behaviour at unpatrolled beaches, providing an empirically-supported alternative to prevailing deficit-based awareness raising methods.

Familiarity with beach warning flags in the Netherlands

Beach safety flags form an internationally adopted warning system intended to prevent adverse incidents, including drownings. However, little is known about people’s familiarity with these flags. In this study we tested the recognition and understanding of beach warning flags in the Netherlands, a country which welcomes millions of beach visitors every year. A convenience sample (N = 174) of the Dutch population was interviewed using a structured survey which asked for the meaning of eight different flags, the respondents’ confidence in their choice, as well as their intention with regard to entering the water. The results show an overall poor understanding of the meaning of all flags except for the red flags (which indicate high hazard). The level of confidence largely followed the same pattern, with low confidence for most flags except the red ones. Strikingly, the yellow flag (which indicates potential hazard and is meant to discourage bathing) evoked a considerable proportion of opposite associations (i.e., safety), combined with moderately high confidence and intentions to enter the water. More people were in fact inclined to enter the water under a yellow flag than under a red & yellow flag (which indicates a patrolled beach). Direct or indirect experience with danger in the sea did not affect people’s knowledge of the flags but did reduce the intention to enter the water. We conclude that familiarity with the flag system in the Netherlands is wanting and we propose a number of recommendations to improve public understanding.

Beach management policy analysis concerning safety flag systems in Northern Spain

The aim of this paper is to analyse the meaning of beach safety flags and their management along the Northern Spanish coast. There are more than 1000 small beaches, which are often in high demand by tourism during the summer season. To carry out the research, most of main beaches have been visited to observe and analyse the meaning of all the safety flags and their correct use depending on the oceanographic and meteorological conditions. The influence of the beach safety management and regulations on the use of beach safety signage has been also analysed. The results show that safety flag systems differ even between very close beaches where safety management is in the hands of different local governments. Outdated and local legal framework and the absence of an agreed system between the different organizations that provide lifeguarding services seem to be behind this lack of uniformity. A specific guide for beach safety flags and signage within a national safety beach plan agreed by all the autonomic or provincial governments may be a solution.

Safety Protocols for Adolescent Substance Use Research in Clinical Settings

PurposeResearch involving adolescent risk behaviors must balance data confidentiality with participant safety when risky behaviors are revealed. This report details a safety protocol and reports the experience of two contemporaneous studies that used it with variant safety thresholds. MethodsWe developed a safety protocol for research with adolescent patients and used it in two concurrent studies of adolescent patients, aged 14–18 years. Study “PC” recruited participants from a primary care adolescent medical clinic (N = 490), and Study “SP” recruited participants from subspecialty pediatric clinics (N = 434); both studies involved a similar self-administered assessment of health behaviors. The protocol sets thresholds for clinical intervention (positive safety flags) for past 3-month heavy alcohol consumption (Study PC: 10 or more drinks and Study SP: “binge-”level drinking), illicit drug use other than marijuana and alcohol in combination with a substance other than marijuana, and sets a positive screen for depression. We examined the rates of positive safety flags in both protocol settings, used significance testing to describe demographic differences between participants with and without positive flags in both studies, and described clinician experiences with protocol implementation. ResultsIn studies PC/SP, .6%/8.8% of participants were flagged for heavy alcohol consumption, respectively; .2%/0% for illicit drug use, 2.2%/.7% for combination substance use, and 14.9%/4.8% for depression. Some clinicians found managing positive flags challenging, although both studies completed recruitment on time and without serious adverse events. ConclusionsThe protocol was feasible in clinical settings. The findings and experiences documented in this report could be useful for future protocols.

User's Perceptions about Rip Currents and Their Specific Management Approaches at a Densely Occupied Urban Beach

Silva-Cavalcanti, J.S.; Silva, A. R.L; Silva, J.C.P; Araújo, M.C.B; Maragotto, M.G., and Costa, M.F., 2020. User's perceptions abourt rip currents and their specific management approaches at a densely occupied urban beach. In: Malvárez, G. and Navas, F. (eds.), Global Coastal Issues of 2020. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 95, pp. 953-957. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.This research aimed to analyze the beach user`s perceptions about rip currents and their specific management approaches at a densely occupied urban beach. Semi-structured questionnaires (N = 216) inquired beach users about use, rip currents knowledge and other hazards. When the beach user's accepted to respond the inquire, they signed an Informed Consent Form. In the 189 valid interviews, females (68%) go to Pina and Boa Viagem beaches more often than males (32%). The choice of the beach part where the beach user will remain was based on easy access (75%), security (13%) and < 6% for fashionable sites, beverages and snacks availability. Rip currents identification is poor, and many are unaware of the meaning of beach safety flags (34%). Around 35% of beach users affirmed not knowing the meaning of the red flags. According to beach users, lifeguards designate areas that are safe for bathing using a pair of red flags. So, they believed that this flag means the area is patrolled by lifeguards, and therefore safer. Other beach users associated red flags to shark attacks (66%). Beach users respondents were asked which area they thought was the safest place to swim and they selected rip channels as the safest place to swim. Beach users declared they know how to swim (71%), however with a swimming ability of < 25 m (84,5%). Information about rip currents is an essential component in developing interventions aimed at reducing the risk of drowning events. Specific management approaches (e.g. red flags) need to focus on debunking rip current myths, to improve understanding of safe swimming areas. The use of flags to indicate the occurrence of rip currents was a partially effective measure of beach management aiming at the prevention of drowning or shark attacks due to beach user's reduced knowledge about rip currents in general and flags meaning.

A New Approach of Mitigating CYP3A4 Induction Led to the Discovery of Potent Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Capsid Inhibitor with Optimal ADMET Profiles

Described herein is a new approach to mitigate CYP3A4 induction. In this unconventional approach, a fine-tuning of the dihedral angle between the C4 phenyl and the dihydropyrimidine core of the heteroaryldihydropyrimidine (HAP) class of capsid inhibitors successfully altered the structure-activity-relationships (SARs) of the unwanted CYP3A4 induction and the desired HBV capsid inhibition to more favorable values. This eventually led to the discovery of a new capsid inhibitor with significantly reduced CYP3A4 induction, excellent anti-HBV activity, favorable preclinical PK/PD profiles, and no early safety flags.

Beach safety knowledge of visiting international study abroad students to Australia

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.

Perceptions of rip current myths from the central south coast of England

Rip currents (rips) are the global leading cause of fatalities on surf beaches, yet numerous long-standing misconceptions exist. Evidence of the prevalence of these myths is largely anecdotal. This opportunistic, exploratory study presents perceptions on rip current hazards (n = 187), of members of the public attending an open day at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton. The survey was undertaken as a fun but informative quiz, aimed at families attending the research-facility. It also explored using such events as a conduit to gain valuable knowledge on the understanding of rip currents and other hazards. While most respondents (81%) knew appropriate escape strategies (swim parallel and stay afloat), only 11% identified what makes rips dangerous (panic), with 44% incorrectly saying that rips suck you under. Rip identification is poor, and many are unaware of the meaning of beach safety flags. This study identifies that safety communication messaging needs to focus on debunking rip current myths, to improve understanding of safe swimming areas; and to reduce panic if caught in a rip.

Public Understanding and Knowledge of Rip Currents and Beach Safety in the UK

Rip currents present a severe hazard for water users on beaches and account for the greatest cause of lifeguard rescues worldwide. The physical dynamics of rip currents are well studied, and more recently, the social and behavioural science research surrounding human interaction of rip currents has been expanding, providing a social perspective and feeding into public education strategies. The aim of this study was to assess levels of public understanding of rip currents and beach safety on UK beaches. A questionnaire was undertaken (N = 407) during the summer of 2012 on four beaches. Beach users had a poor knowledge of rip currents (n = 263), but those who have been caught in a rip have a higher level of knowledge. Conversely, beach users had a good understanding of what the beach safety flags indicated (n = 314), and most people complied with this flag system (n = 339). In addition, people previously educated on rip currents had a higher knowledge, and lifeguards proved to be the most effective form of education. The study presents an insight into UK beach users’ knowledge of rip currents and provides more evidence with which to pilot a rip current education scheme within the UK.

Public Understanding and Knowledge of Rip Currents and Beach Safety in the UK

Rip currents present a severe hazard for water users on beaches and account for the greatest cause of lifeguard rescues worldwide. The physical dynamics of rip currents are well studied, and more recently, the social and behavioural science research surrounding human interaction of rip currents has been expanding, providing a social perspective and feeding into public education strategies. The aim of this study was to assess levels of public understanding of rip currents and beach safety on UK beaches. A questionnaire was undertaken (N = 407) during the summer of 2012 on four beaches. Beach users had a poor knowledge of rip currents (n = 263), but those who have been caught in a rip before have a higher level of knowledge. Conversely, beach users had a good understanding of what the beach safety flags indicated (n = 314), and most people complied with this flag system (n = 339). In addition, those previously educated on rip currents had a higher knowledge, and lifeguards proved to be the most effective form of education. The study presents an insight into UK beach users’ knowledge of rip currents and provides more evidence with which to pilot a rip current education scheme within the UK.

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

Abstract. This paper begins a process of addressing a significant gap in knowledge about people's responses to being caught in rip currents. While rip currents are the primary hazard facing recreational ocean swimmers in Australia, debate exists about the best advice to give swimmers caught in rip currents. Such surf rescue advice – on what to do and how to respond when caught in a rip – relies on empirical evidence. However, at present, knowledge about swimmers reactions and responses to rip currents is limited. This gap is a considerable barrier to providing effective advice to beach goers and to understanding how this advice is utilised (or not) when actually caught in the rip current. This paper reports the findings of a pilot study that focussed on garnering a better understanding of swimmers' experiences when caught in rip currents. A large scale questionnaire survey instrument generated data about rip current survivors' demographics, knowledge of beach safety and their reactions and responses when caught in a rip current. A mix of online and paper surveys produced a total of 671 completed surveys. Respondents were predominantly an informed group in terms of rip current knowledge, beach experience and had a high self-rated swimming ability. Preliminary insights from the survey show that most respondents recalled a "swim across the rip/parallel to the beach" message when caught in the rip and most escaped unassisted by acting on this message. However, while nearly a quarter of respondents recalled a message of "not to panic", short answer responses revealed that the onset of panic inhibited some respondents from recalling or enacting any other type of beach safety message when caught in the rip current. Results also showed that despite the research sample being younger, competent and frequent ocean swimmers, they were more likely to swim at unpatrolled beaches and outside of the red and yellow safety flags. Moreover, they were still caught in a rip current and they panicked. The findings of this study have significant implications for a range of demographic groups of differing beach safety knowledge and swimming ability who may be caught in rip currents behave, we know very little about how beach goers may respond to being caught in them.

The place of the Western Canada waitlist project in regional child and adolescent mental health program services

The Place of the Western Canada Waitlist Project in Regional Child and Adolescent Mental Health Program Services.In this presentation is described the history of the Western Canada Waitlist Project (WCWL) and its implementation within the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Program. Highlighted is how the Western Canada Waitlist Project fits into regional clinical and accountability processes. Our results confirm that the Western Canada Waitlist Project Children's Mental Health component is a useful, economic instrument. For example, 11,067 Children's Mental Health Priority Criteria Score (CMH-PCS) forms have been completed since the beginning of the project in 2002. Not only have the WCWL data been used clinically to place clients within the continuum of care and develop priority and safety flags, the WCWL data have also been used to predict and model clinical outcomes. The current paper highlights the degree to which the WCWL-CMH-PCS, gathered at the time of screening and triage, prior to admission, predicts clinical outcomes at the time of discharge. Described is the way in which we plan to use this information to flag on admission, for the purpose of additional intervention, children who are at risk of poor clinical outcomes.

Feasibility study of a water safety data collection for beaches

This study examined the feasibility of a methodology for collecting information on water safety on beaches. Previous work showed that lifeguards and lifesavers were unreliable data collectors as they often did not have time to devote to it. The aim of this study was to trial a data collection using dedicated data collectors. The results showed the water safety-related items that could be consistently reported, and those items that were not. Items relating to beach conditions that could be reported were: wave type, tide times, sea conditions, rips and weather and wind conditions. Items associated with rescues that could be reported were: sex, age group, activity before rescue, who performed the rescue, water depth, safety flag location, nearest rescue and rescue equipment. Data collectors could collect some data on an hourly basis especially: exact or best estimates of beach attendance, exact or best estimates of major rescues and rescues, wind direction and first aid used. Some items could not be collected consistently and their inclusion in data collections should be reviewed. These include: exact age, suburb, indigenous status and swimming ability. While the validity of the collected information was not able to be established, the feasibility study showed which items could be practically included in a water safety data collection, but that dedicated data collectors may be needed to maintain a safety data collection on busy or dangerous beaches. This approach together with data collection by water safety professionals at less busy times would be cost-effective.

Effectiveness of Neckbands for Marking Elk

Two hundred and nine elk (Cervus canadensis) were marked with neckbands during the winters of 1963-64 and 1964-65 in Montana. Neckbands were constructed from 3-inch-wide strips of plastic impregnated nylon. Symbols and color combinations were used to make each neckband individually recognizable. Relocations on marked animals totaled 1,909 during a 20-month period. Ninety percent of the marked animals were relocated at least once. The combination of easily identified neckbands with reconnaissance by helicopter is an effective means of locating animals in inaccessible areas. While marked animals are a well recognized asset in many types of wildlife investigations, to contrive a durable, easily observed marker is often a problem. The use and construction of collars or neckbands for deer has been described by several authors (Progulske 1957, Hamilton 1962, Fashingbauer 1962). Harper and Lightfoot (1966) have recently compared several tagging devices for both elk and deer. Neckbands have also been used on elk in Colorado (Denney 1966). Experiences in Montana have indicated that neckbands are a very effective marking system for elk. Initial results of Montana's neckbanding program are presented here for the benefit of other investigators. The value of these neckbands for estimating the validity of elk counts has been pointed out by Lovaas et al. (1966). During the winters of 1963-64 and 196465, the Montana Fish and Game Department engaged in a trapping and marking program in the Sun River elk herd in westcentral Montana. Elk were trapped by means of bait or drive traps. Helicopters were used to herd elk into the drive traps in a manner similar to that described by Howe (1963). Each animal was ear-tagged and individually marked with a neckband consisting of a 3-inch-wide background strip with a symbol of contrasting color. Neckbands were constructed of plastic impregnated nylon (Saflag available from the Safety Flag Company of America, Pawtucket, Rhode Island) and nylon webbing. Strips of Saflag (3 x 36 inches) were sewed to the nylon webbing material for strength. Symbols similar to those illustrated by Progulske (1957:252) were cut from Saflag and sewn to the neckbands. Bands for cows and calves were pre-riveted (31 inches 1 A contribution from Montana Federal Aid Project W-98-R. Partial funds were furnished by the Allen Foundation. 845 of the peak of fawning could not be established. However, it appears from these data that the peak of the fawn drop and the rut in the Coastal Plain is approximately 1 month earlier than in the Piedmont or

Tagging Devices for Roosevelt Elk and Mule Deer

Collars, earmarkers, and ear tags were attached to Roosevelt elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) in Oregon. Collar flaps made of 18-oz were the most satisfactory for both elk and deer. Eighty-nine percent of the elk collar flaps were intact after 6 months and 82 percent of the deer collar flaps after 8 to 9 months. Reinforced Herculite 80 earmarkers resisted folding but showed a fairly low rate of retention in elk; only 46 percent remained after 6 months. Dayglo Saflag earmarkers were retained best on both elk (79 percent) and deer (87 percent). Ear tags with round post attachments were most suitable for securing fabric earmarkers because they were less apt to be torn through the ear cartilage. The aluminum Perfect ear tags were the most satisfactory for use without fabric earmarkers. For a study of the ecology of elk and mule deer in Oregon it was necessary to tag large numbers of animals in a manner that would permit continual field identification. Marking devices had to be visible at distances up to a mile and be resistant to loss or mutilation. The elk study area was the Millicoma Forest in Coos and Douglas counties of southwestern Oregon. The mule deer project was conducted on the Silver Lake deer winter range in northern Lake County of south central Oregon. The elk were drugged with succinylcholine chloride by means of the Cap-Chur gun and syringes (Harper 1965). The mule deer were trapped on their winter range by corral, Clover, and panel traps as reported by Lightfoot and Maw (1963). METHODS AND MATERIALS Several types of collars and earmarkers were used on both elk and mule deer. Herculite vinyl-coated nylon fabrics, in weights of 10 and 18 oz per square yard, were the principal materials used. The heavier material (Herculite 80) was used in several colors for elk collars, deer and elk collar flaps, and for elk earmarkers. The lighter fabric (Herculite 20), in a bright red fluorescent called color guard, was tested for collars and used for some elk earmarkers. These materials are manufactured by Herculite Protective Fabrics, 661 Fourth Street, Newark, New Jersey. Dayglo Saflag, a fluorescent colored fabric purchased from the Safety Flag Company of America, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, was used for both elk and deer earmarkers and streamers. Some elk collars were made of S. Fiberthin (18 oz per square yard), a product of the U. S. Rubber Company. Numbers, letters, and symbols were painted on the tagging devices with vinyl upholstery paint obtained from Ram Cote Products, 1139 West 69th Street, Chicago. Braided, 1/4-inch polyethylene rope was used to secure the ends of some elk collars and for collars to which flaps were sewn for both deer and elk. Collars and Collar Flaps In constructing the collars, primary considerations were resistance to folding and wear and whether the and numbers could be identified for at least a year. It 1 The elk and deer studies were contributions from Pittman-Robertson Projects W-59-R and W-53-R, respectively, and the Division of Wildlife Research, Oregon State Game Commission, Corvallis.

A Marking Harness for the Collared Peccary

Peccaries (Pecari tajacu) were marked for identification in the field by the attachment of a polyethylene braided rope harness. The harness is a collar-like band which is held around the neck with an auxiliary strap behind the forelegs. Saflag or Armor-tite triangular color patches were attached to each side. A standard-size harness was fitted to each individual animal by tying the ends of the braided rope into a square knot and fastening a hog ring around the center of the knot. In 16 months of pen testing, harnesses were placed on eight captive animals. During this period the polyethylene braided rope remained in excellent condition, but the patch materials did show wear and fading. Between August 5, 1963, and February 23, 1964, harnesses were attached to 15 free-roaming peccaries. The color patch could readily be seen at 100 yards with 7x binoculars. In recent years several methods have been devised for marking big-game mammals. Many of these visible markers permit positive identification of individual animals and also have good durability. Progulske (1957) used a leather and plastic deer collar that was retained for as long as 16 months. Lightfoot and Maw (1963) devised a polyethylene braided rope collar with a large collar flap that permitted identification of individual animals. The collared peccary has proved to be a difficult animal to mark for field identification. Minnamon (1962) used ear markers made of polyethylene braided rope with some degree of success. Because the peccary has a short, thick neck, it has not been possible to use collars as markers. During a study of the seasonal movements and herd activities of the collared peccary in southern Arizona, I developed a harness marker which is both permanent and conspicuous. The harness is essentially a collar-like band which is held around the neck with an auxiliary strap behind the forelegs. This arrangement provided an opportunity to attach a triangular color patch on each side. The harness was constructed from segments of %-inch polyethylene braided rope fastened together with ?%-inch copper rivets. The ends of the rope segments were melted with a plastic sealing iron and flattened with a plier (Fig. 1). The color patch consisted of a swathe of Saflag (made by The Safety Flag Co. of America, Pawtucket, Rhode Island) or Armor-tite (made by Cooley, Inc., Pawtucket, Rhode Island) vinyl coated nylon fabric. Red, orange, yellow, blue, and white colors were used. The color swathes were wrapped around the side of the rope triangle and fastened with Pliobond glue (made by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., Akron, Ohio). The overlapped edges of the swathe were sewn together after the glue dried. Heavy-duty staples were used to secure the patch to the rope triangle. Different symbols were cut from patch materials and sewn to the color swathes before the gluing process. Harnesses were placed on adult peccaries only. A standard-size harness was fitted to each individual animal by tying the ends of the braided rope into a square knot and fastening a No. 1 hog ring around the center of the knot. The neck strap was also adjusted for smaller animals by making a loop in the braided rope and securing it with a hog ring. The harness was tested primarily on captive animals, with the intention of applying 1 Contribution of the Arizona Cooperative Research Unit: University of Arizona, Arizona Game and Fish Department, The Wildlife Management Institute, and the U. S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, cooperating.

A Marking Technique for Field Recognition of Individual Turkeys and Deer

Plasticized nylon fabric markers were attached to each ear of 123 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns and to the patagium of each wing of 242 turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) to mark the animals for subsequent individual recognition in the field. Turkeys and deer bearing markers are consistently recognized as marked animals at distances up to 400 yards with the naked eye. Aided by 7 x 35 binoculars, an observer can usually make positive identification of individual animals at distances of 150-2,00 yards, although differences in color and style of marker, lighting conditions, and nature of cover influence the distance factor. Only 3 of 246 tags used on deer fawns during the 1961 and 1962 fawning seasons were known to have been lost. Observations spanning periods of 1216 months on 242 turkeys revealed only 2 birds with one wing marker missing. This is an evaluation of marking techniques developed for recognition of individual turkeys and white-tailed deer in the field. Glazener had limited success in marking wild turkeys with colored leg markers of the type described by Downing and Marshall (1959). Backtag markers similar to those described by Blank and Ash (1956) and evaluated by Labisky and Mann (1962) and Gullion et al. (1962) were not satisfactory because the markers became obscured by the long contour feathers of the turkey's back. The earmarking of white-tailed deer fawns with techniques modified from Johnson (1951), Lentfer (1955), and Rouse (1957) were not wholly satisfactory because marked animals were often overlooked in the field. This work was supported by the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation, Sinton, Texas. Recently the authors have become aware of works by Anderson (1963) and Koskimies and Routamo (1953), who described patagial tags for waterfowl which are similar to the wing markers described here. MATERIALS AND METHODS Markers were made from a plasticized nylon fabric (DAY-GLO SAFLAG, Safety Flag Company of America, Division of Vogue Textiles, Inc., P. O. Box 1005, Pawtucket, Rhode Island). Nine colors are available in 3x 40-inch strips. The markers were attached to animals with button tags (Burch's Best, National Agricultural Supply Company, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin). Three styles of markers were used, with individual animals identified by combinations of two colors further varied by design of the marker (Fig. 1). Marker styles I and II were used on wild turkeys, styles I and III on white-tailed deer fawns. To avoid complications and confusion, we refrained from using more than two colors on any one animal. Turkeys were tagged by inserting a button tag through the patagium or web of the wing. The markers were placed on the dorsal surface of the wing, thus placing them high on the side of the bird (Fig. 2) and in a more conspicuous position than leg markers or backtags. Holes for tags were punched centrally in the web to avoid injury to the tendon in the leading edge of 1 Welder Wildlife Foundation Contribution No. 69.