气候变化领域集成服务门户(CCPortal): On the swimming strategies to escape a rip current: a mathematical approach

CCPortal

DOI	10.1007/s11069-021-04740-7
	On the swimming strategies to escape a rip current: a mathematical approach
	Withers A.; Maldonado S.
发表日期	2021
ISSN	0921030X
起始页码	1449
结束页码	1467
卷号	108 期号:2
英文摘要	Rip currents represent significant hazards to swimmers all around the world. The danger arises when a misinformed swimmer uses an inadequate strategy to escape the rip, such as fighting the current directly. This can lead to fatigue, panic, and in some cases drowning. There exists a range of strategies put forward by experts (both lifeguards and scientists) to escape rip currents. However, these recommendations are based on a limited number of scientific studies and there is still much discrepancy surrounding the best strategy to escape a rip. Thus, here we present a simple, physics-based theoretical model aimed at assessing different escape strategies in terms of their associated ‘energetic cost’ (in work and power) for any given rip current and swimmer’s proficiency level. Many combinations of swimmers and rips are considered, including both idealised and a realistic rip current. Our quantitative results back the common knowledge that swimming against the rip (which is strongly discouraged by lifeguards) is almost universally the worst possible strategy, especially when compared against strategies favoured by experts, such as floating with the current before attempting to swim back to the shore. For a realistic rip, our results suggest that swimming directly against the rip can require several times more power from the swimmer than other strategies advised by lifeguards, thus lending further scientific support to experts’ recommendations. This study may help promote education around the dangers posed by rip currents and how best to address them. © 2021, The Author(s).
关键词	Escape Power Rip current Swimming strategy Work
英文关键词	hazard assessment; numerical model; rip current; strategic approach; swimming behavior
语种	英语
来源期刊	Natural Hazards
文献类型	期刊论文
条目标识符	http://gcip.llas.ac.cn/handle/2XKMVOVA/206663
作者单位	School of Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 7QF, United Kingdom
推荐引用方式 GB/T 7714	Withers A.,Maldonado S.. On the swimming strategies to escape a rip current: a mathematical approach[J],2021,108(2).
APA	Withers A.,&Maldonado S..(2021).On the swimming strategies to escape a rip current: a mathematical approach.Natural Hazards,108(2).
MLA	Withers A.,et al."On the swimming strategies to escape a rip current: a mathematical approach".Natural Hazards 108.2(2021).