LAUSR

ABSTRACT Yoon, I.J. and Hong, J.-W., 2017. Safety equipment for swimming beaches in Korea: Implications for management. In: Lee, J.L.; Griffiths, T.; Lotan, A.; Suh, K.-S., and Lee, J. (eds.), The 2nd International Water Safety Symposium. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 79, pp. 1–5. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Since December 2014, the Act on the Use and Management of Swimming Beaches of Korea has imposed safety requirements on swimming beaches. Of 314 surveyed beaches in Korea, only 6% met current national lifeboat requirements, while 24% met rescue boat requirements, 61%, life belt; 69%, watch tower; 67%, swimming area buoy; and 84%, safety buoy or warning notice requirements. This study recommends a classification system for beaches based on congestion and administrative capabilities. Based on this system, safety equipment requirements were revised. Recommendations included exempting extra-small and small-scale beaches from watch tower and rescue boat requirements and equipping medium-large beaches with an additional rescue boat.