The unexplored role of surfers in drowning prevention: Aotearoa, New Zealand as a case study

ABSTRACT

Every year people drown while visiting coastal beaches. Increasingly, studies indicate that bystanders play a critical role in rescuing people from drowning. However, very limited research has explored the contribution surfers make to reducing fatal drowning. This research examined aquatic bystander rescues conducted by surfers in Aotearoa, New Zealand. It analysed their characteristics and the conditions under which they took place. The study draws upon an online survey disseminated through several social media platforms which gathered 418 complete responses. The findings indicate that male and female surfers conducted an average of three rescues across their surfing career. Surfers typically perform rescues at their local surfing spot. Three quarters of the rescues were completed either at unpatrolled beaches or outside patrolled hours, thus filling a critical gap. In 46% of the rescues, surfers felt they had saved the person’s life. Overall, the research emphasises the significant, yet under-estimated, role of surfers in coastal drowning prevention and water safety. It concludes that organisations involved in drowning prevention should work closely with surfing communities on ways to reduce fatalities at coastal beaches.

KEYWORDS:

• Drowning prevention
• water safety
• coastal hazards
• emergencies
• risk reduction

Acknowledgements

The research team would like to thank Mick Kearney from Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Ben Kennings from Surfing New Zealand for the initial discussions on the topic and their support in diffusing the questionnaire. We would also like to thank Professor Robert W. Brander for its insight and advice at the start of the research project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 The term ‘formal rescue training’ was not defined in the survey question. However, the Rescue 24/7 course was used as an example of what could constitute formal rescue training.

2 Rescue – Where a person requires immediate help to return to shore (or place of safety) and who without intervention would have suffered distress, injury or drowning.

Assist – Where a person requires assistance to return to shore but would most likely be able to get themselves out of danger if unaided.

3 Current estimated value of a human life $4.42M x 14500 (1% of 145,000 surfers) = $ 6,409,000,000