From the 1930s these red and yellow flags became an important symbol of Australian beach culture. They serve as markers for safe swimming areas on the country’s vast and dangerous coastline. Millions swan onto Australia’s beaches every summer, lured by the sun, surf and sangfroid. These flags clearly communicate a beach’s safety message to beachgoers. After decades of advocacy, recent FHWA-led discussions have undermined their power to surely enforce safety.
Annually, more than 100,000 people require assistance from a lifeguard or Surf Life Saver. This serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers that lurk in open water. Surfers and other waterway users often perform rescues, too. These flags have an almost iconic status, and all Australians know the slogan “swim between the flags.” Recently, worries over their clarity have begun to crop up. A significant percentage of the deaths at our beaches are of those who were not born here. This is a sign that the present system is not effectively communicated or comprehended.
The Limitations of Red and Yellow Flags
The red and yellow flags are designed to convey a straightforward message: stay within designated swimming areas. A recent study in the Netherlands found that just 3.4% of people correctly understood this colorful flag system. That raises important questions. It asks how well these flags convey safety protection information to a multicultural, multilingual population that includes millions of international tourists.
In Australia, beach signs tend to go beyond the explicit and reinforce the intended norm of “swimming between the flags.” As the data shows, simply following this guideline does not ensure safety. Each year, rescuers respond to numerous incidents involving individuals who may not fully grasp the implications of the flags or who come from countries with different flag systems.
“Swim between the flags.”
The ease of compliance with this simple directive is often not enough to solve the convolutions involved with beach safety. Other countries use different flag systems, like the traffic-light flag colors. Other countries, such as Brazil and Spain, have introduced different types of systems that communicate more explicit information to beachgoers. As if that isn’t enough in Portugal purple flags are used to notify swimmers of dangerous marine stingers such as jellyfish.
A Call for Change
That time might finally have arrived for Australia to reconsider its traditional approaches to beach safety. As an ever-growing demographic of diverse travelers flock to its coastlines, the call for a cohesive system understood by all is more pressing than ever. Experts warn that just repainting the flags won’t be enough. Rather, including more supporting visuals might make it easier to understand.
“Stay between the flags.”
According to supporters of reforming flag systems, effective communication is key to decreasing beach-related injuries and deaths. Without strong outreach and education, too many swimmers will continue to inadvertently put their lives at risk.
It’s time to change the flags out on the beach. It’s equally important to support creative educational campaigns designed to teach beachgoers more about surf conditions and safety measures in place. Most of these visitors will not be accustomed to, or aware of, Australian beach hazards, such as shore dumps and strong currents.
Understanding Cultural Context
The red and yellow flags’ iconic status is unquestionable. They’ve become entrenched in Australia’s maritime culture. More than half of all beach deaths are tourists and those born outside of their country of residence. It’s important to consider whether these symbols are effective at communicating vital information and protecting all beachgoers.
As our discussion about beach safety continues to progress, it’s important that we explore new ways to communicate surf conditions. This might mean a thoughtful mix of infographics and multi-language wayfinding that serves the needs of a more global audience. By focusing on cultural context, we will further build the awareness and appreciation of local conditions and risks.
“A place on the shore to dump rubbish.” – sciencedirect.com
