Understanding hikers who approached a hazardous river in Yosemite National Park

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

doi:10.1136/injuryprev-2015-041625

Cited by 12 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Similarly, Girasek et al (2016a) surveyed hikers who went beyond warning signs into risk zones in the water. Almost all of the hikers who went into the risk zones reported feeling safe, yet many thought other hikers should not go there because it was dangerous, or should only go there if they were careful, skilled, and knew their limits.…”

Section: Self-exempting Beliefsmentioning

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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Section: Self-exempting Beliefsmentioning

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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“…Nevertheless, campaigns to increase Personal Flotation Device use among adult boaters for example, rely more on education and persuasive messaging than regulatory approaches. There are many psychological mechanisms--several gender-related--that work against safety-based messaging in recreational settings (Girasek et al 2016b). Perhaps alternative appeals, such as the one tested in this study, need to be considered by more public health professionals.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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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Managing Visitor Risk in National Parks

Gstaettner¹,

Rodger²,

Lee³

2021

Tourist Health, Safety and Wellbeing in the New Normal

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Understanding hikers who approached a hazardous river in Yosemite National Park

Abstract: While this needs assessment identified channels for informing hikers of drowning risk, there are indications that they might not personalise such warnings. Another option would be to explore cooling alternatives that could compete with the swift water that runs along many hiking trails.

Cited by 12 publications

References 17 publications

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

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

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

Managing Visitor Risk in National Parks

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