VR Simulation Educates Long Island Swimmers on Rip Currents
The Long Island Region of the New York State Parks Water Safety Education Programme is this summer deploying advanced technology created by Dr Jase Bernhardt to raise public understanding of the risks associated with rip currents.
Dr Bernhardt, an associate professor within Hofstra University’s Department of Geology, Environment, and Sustainability, has for years developed a virtual reality simulation intended to immerse users in the experience of being caught in a rip current.
Through this realistic simulation, participants learn practical techniques to escape such dangerous water conditions. The project has benefited from the support of New York Sea Grant, a programme dedicated to coastal and marine research.
Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted the initiative at a press conference on 1 July, addressing seasonal beach safety efforts. She confirmed that the Long Island Region of NY State Parks has acquired two virtual reality headsets featuring Bernhardt’s rip current programme.
These headsets will be available to the public at selected state parks and beaches on scheduled dates up until 6 September 2025. The VR training is accessible in both English and Spanish, widening its reach to diverse communities.
Rip currents are recognised by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as strong, narrow flows of water travelling away from shore at potentially deadly speeds, sometimes reaching up to eight feet per second, a pace exceeding that of even elite Olympic swimmers. These currents pose a severe threat along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coastlines, as well as the Great Lakes.
Every year, lifeguards are reported to rescue tens of thousands of swimmers from rip currents across the United States, yet an estimated 100 individuals lose their lives to these swift-moving channels annually, according to NOAA data.
The Long Island Region’s Water Safety Education Programme was initially launched at Robert Moses Field 5 during the previous year. Building on its success, the programme continues to expand with the introduction of immersive virtual reality to help beach visitors recognise, avoid, and react to rip currents.
Dr Bernhardt’s research with VR technology extends beyond water safety. Earlier applications of his work included hurricane preparedness, where virtual reality was employed to convey the dangers of incoming storms. More recently, he has developed VR-based public education tools on flash floods and the hazards of driving through snow squalls.
In a further sign of Hofstra’s growing research profile, the university was earlier this year designated as an R2 institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. This classification, which denotes high research activity and doctoral degree production, marks a significant achievement for Hofstra’s academic mission. Dr Bernhardt’s efforts in public water safety outreach align with the objectives of the Hofstra 100 strategic plan, which prioritises community partnership and public engagement as part of the university’s commitment to serving society.
The collaboration between Dr Bernhardt, New York State Parks, and New York Sea Grant demonstrates a proactive response to safeguarding swimmers on Long Island. By using innovative educational tools, the initiative aims to empower individuals with vital survival knowledge that could make a critical difference in emergencies, reinforcing the mission to protect lives on the region’s busy summer beaches.
