Patterns of behaviour that pose potential drowning risk to hikers at Yosemite National Park

Girasek, Deborah C.; Marschall, Joy S.; Pope, Dov

doi:10.1093/jtm/tav016

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…The significant association we observed between air temperature and river entry was strikingly similar (i.e., B = 1.06 vs 1.04, when temperature is standardized to Farenheit) to what we observed 3 years earlier in Yosemite National Park (Girasek et al 2016a). Managers of recreational areas should consider hot days to pose a heightened drowning threat, as has been reported elsewhere (Fralick et al 2013; Office of the Chief Coroner 2011).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

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Evaluating a novel sign’s impact on whether park visitors enter a dangerous river

Girasek

2019

Inj. Epidemiol.

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BackgroundBetween 1972 and 2015, 56 visitors to the two national parks that border the Potomac River Gorge experienced fatal drowning. In 2016, the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP), and the Chesapeake and Ohio National Historical Park (CHOH) partnered with a researcher to see if enhancement of their risk communication strategies could reduce behaviors that contribute to these deaths.MethodsAn experimental sign, which informed visitors that water entry was illegal and could result in a fine exceeding $200 was developed, and displayed on alternating weekend days from July 30 to September 11, 2016. Those signs were displayed at each park’s entrance, on restroom doors, at trailheads, and at both shorelines of the Potomac. At other times the experimental signs were covered, but a standard safety sign was always present. Cameras were used to record water entries.ResultsCameras captured 1441 images. Approximately 2% of the images in CHOH and 1% of the images in GWMP showed a visitor in the water. Our multivariate analysis revealed that air temperature, beach count, and sign condition were significantly associated with water entry. When our experimental sign was displayed, the odds of an image showing someone in the water was reduced by 63%.ConclusionsA sign alerting park visitors to the fact that water entry is illegal, and could potentially result in a considerable fine, was associated with significantly reduced risk-taking. While intuitive, this finding is a reminder to consider whether warnings that focus on non-health consequences might be more salient to at-risk populations.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

“…(In a previous study, carried out at Yosemite National Park, visitors’ river entries were associated with air temperature and water level.) (Girasek et al 2016a)…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating a novel sign’s impact on whether park visitors enter a dangerous river

Girasek

2019

Inj. Epidemiol.

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“…Subjects was the random factor. Gender was included in these analyses because gender differences were found in studies of similar outdoor risk taking situations (Aucote et al, 2010;Girasek et al, 2016b). The degrees of freedom for the error terms were adjusted as described in Keppel and Wickens (2004).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

DANGER! NO HIKING! Risky hiking decisions, framing of normative warning messages, and self-exempting beliefs

Kortenkamp

Moore

Miller

et al. 2021

Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

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“…High visitor use at waterfall sites may also present other issues that can impact the visitor experience and resources. Some of these issues include stream-bank erosion, channel widening, sediment transport, water quality and contamination, extensive unauthorized trails, risky behavior, injury, drowning, and mortality (Attarian, 2015;Clow et al, 2011;Girasek, Marschall, & Pope, 2016). For example, hikers were more likely to approach water sources and waterfalls as air temperatures rose, which increased the potential risk of drowning (Girasek et al, 2016).…”

Section: Visitor Experience and Carrying Capacitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some of these issues include stream-bank erosion, channel widening, sediment transport, water quality and contamination, extensive unauthorized trails, risky behavior, injury, drowning, and mortality (Attarian, 2015;Clow et al, 2011;Girasek, Marschall, & Pope, 2016). For example, hikers were more likely to approach water sources and waterfalls as air temperatures rose, which increased the potential risk of drowning (Girasek et al, 2016). Thus, monitoring visitors and ecological impacts in parks and protected areas is important, especially at iconic sites like waterfalls (Hadwen, Hill, & Pickering, 2007).…”

Section: Visitor Experience and Carrying Capacitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Taking the Plunge: Enhancing the Visitor Experience in Waterfall-Based State Parks

Citarella¹,

Hallo

Fefer³

et al. 2019

JPRA

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Waterfalls have long been popular tourist attractions due to their soundscape, beauty, natural pool, and recreational opportunities. With technological advances and abundant tourism information, more visitors are being drawn to waterfalls. Such high visitation and use amplifies the risk of degrading pristine waterfall sites and their resources. Not only are waterfalls experiencing high demand, but state parks are also seeing large increases in visitation. State parks are typically located closer to population centers and complement the more well-known and iconic national parks by providing recreational opportunities to more, diverse visitors. The present study aims to provide a basis for understanding the visitor experience and carrying capacity at a waterfall-based state park where visitors engage in an activity with the water (e.g., swim in the natural pool, climb the waterfall). Further, the study investigates intrasite displacement from an activity with the water in tandem with the examination of carrying capacity. Visitor surveys and time-lapse field cameras were deployed to collect data on visitor use at a popular waterfall-based state park in Tennessee. The results indicate that use levels are near or above crowding-based thresholds, supporting the implementation of a carrying capacity. While the results do not provide evidence for intrasite or activity displacement, they seem to reflect a reduction in the visitors' freedom of choice in activity or location. The present study fills a gap in the literature by empirically investigating the carrying capacity of visitors at a waterfall site and utilizing an indicators and thresholds-based approach in a state park. Empirical research on these is needed since citizens highly value waterfalls and primarily gain exposure to nature through state park visits.

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Patterns of behaviour that pose potential drowning risk to hikers at Yosemite National Park

Abstract: It is common for hikers to approach water sources during summer months, particularly as air temperatures rise. By analysing how behaviour and environmental factors co-vary, safety advocates can tailor risk reduction measures to specific settings and visitor populations.

Cited by 4 publications

References 10 publications

Evaluating a novel sign’s impact on whether park visitors enter a dangerous river

Evaluating a novel sign’s impact on whether park visitors enter a dangerous river

DANGER! NO HIKING! Risky hiking decisions, framing of normative warning messages, and self-exempting beliefs

Taking the Plunge: Enhancing the Visitor Experience in Waterfall-Based State Parks

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