Australian Broadcasting Corporation   LOCATION:
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2004/s1073044.htm  Broadcast:
24/03/2004  Science could prove life saving in surf  Reporter:
Mark Bannerman  KERRY O'BRIEN: Sharks and rips are traditionally
the two great menaces of Australia's summertime obsession with
the surf.  The shark menace, fortunately, has been significantly
reduced at most popular beaches through the use of nets, to the
extent that these days there are very few attacks.  Rips are
another matter.  The experts will tell you that fewer than 1 per
cent of Australians could identify a rip, and even fewer could
get themselves out of one.  Then result?  More than 10,000 surf
rescues each year and more than 60 deaths.  Australian
oceanographer Dr Rob Brander believes that toll can be reduced.
So he set up a major project to apply science to the study of
the surf and rips that cause so much grief.  Mark Bannerman
reports.  MARK BANNERMAN: It's the situation no-one wants to
find themselves in -- caught in a s