Given that Water Safety New Zealand recorded 72 drowning fatalities across the country last year, study lead author Rachel Irvine said the results had exposed the need for improved methods of beach-safety education.
Ms Irvine conducted the research as part of her Master of Science in geography, which found only 50% of beach users were able to spot a rip in photos — a widely-used education method — and short videos were no better.
One of the photos used in the research was of the rip at St Kilda Beach, in Dunedin.
"Drowning remains a prominent issue in New Zealand and surf drownings are often attributed to rip currents," she said.
"The easiest way to stay safe around rip currents, is to avoid entering them in the first place, and the best way to do this is learn to identify them.
"Most of us like to go for a swim or surf at the beach, but anyone can get caught, so it’s important to always swim at a patrolled beach and stay between the red and yellow flags when you’re in the water," she said.
Characteristics of rip currents are dark or different-coloured water, gaps in the breaking waves, calm patches of water, criss-cross/rippling water, and sediment-filled or foamy water.
She said more than half of beach users interviewed in the study (aged 18-69) had not received any rip education.
Due to the difficulty of large-scale public training about rip hazards on the beach itself, photos had long been used to educate beach users.
However, this had not led to an increase in skill at spotting them, because photos were not entirely representative of how rips presented in real life.
In recent years, short videos had also been used, but the Otago study was the first to assess whether videos were a more effective tool.
She said the study results indicated beach users were no better at rip identification using photos or videos, although study participants with surf-related experience or previous rip education were able to identify rips 75% of the time.
Co-author and research supervisor Professor Wayne Stephenson said the future of rip current education needed to move beyond static images and short videos, focusing instead on interactive and immersive learning experiences.
"For example, the development of augmented reality apps or virtual reality simulations to provide hands-on learning, allowing people to practice identifying rips in realistic beach scenarios before they set foot in the water."
Surf Lifesaving Otago Southland club support leader Felix Cook said he was not surprised by the research results.
About a dozen people were rescued from rips by surf lifesavers at St Kilda and St Clair beach each season.
"I think it is one of the main areas that we like to target for our beach education, which is being able to spot a rip, and, if you get caught in a rip, knowing how to get out of it.
"What we try to teach people now are the three R’s — relax, raise and ride.
"So just relax, be as calm as possible, put your hand up to show that you're in trouble and then ride the rip out.
"Generally, the rips don't go too far back — usually about as far as the back of the breakers, and then once you're out there you can then drift sideways and swim back in away from the rip."
He said the research was a good reminder to always swim between the flags.
"If you do choose to swim outside of lifeguarded hours, then make sure that you are familiar with rips, know how to identify them and also know what to do if you do get stuck in them."
Ms Irvine hoped people would continue to grow their awareness of rip currents and educate themselves on how to identify rips.
"It is important that people look for rips before they enter the water."
She recommended beach users utilise resources from Surf Lifesaving New Zealand and Safeswim to educate themselves on rip currents and safe places to swim.
