New technology has been developed for New Zealand surf lifesavers that can monitor and understand the flow of rip currents.
Surf Lifesaving NZ (SLSNZ) National Manager Allan Mundy says the technology monitors the currents of rips on the surface of the water column - and, more crucially, on the base of the seafloor.
Mr Mundy says the information the technology provides will allow them to better educate people on how to act when caught in a rip.
New Zealand company Emisoft developed the technology with SLSNZ, and the project will be trialled at Piha Beach on Auckland's West Coast between November 15-18.
Eighty-five percent of surf rescues are a direct result of rips, and Mr Mundy says panic and exhaustion is what kills people.
"Our advice is to relax, to lie on your back, wave for help," he said. "Most places around the country, you're going to be swimming where there's public and they'll be able to alert the lifeguards.
"The danger about swimming in a particular direction is you're going to waste a lot of energy."
NZSLS are calling for zero beach drownings this summer. The 2016/17 patrol season began on Labour weekend and runs through to March next year.
Key NZSLS safety messages:
Newshub.
