Renewed water safety warnings issued after Surf Life Saving NSW records staggering rescue numbers

Surf Life Saving NSW State Operations Centre has recorded a staggering 1,200 rescues completed by surf lifesavers over the Christmas / New Year period - highlighting the importance of the volunteer-based movement as it continues to provide an essential service on NSW beaches while also highlighting the need for beachgoers to stick to patrolled beaches.

For the period from 23rd December to 2nd January, 1,194 rescues were completed by volunteer lifesavers and lifeguards along the NSW coastline, with more than 800 of those coming on Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and the public holiday Monday that followed.

It’s the highest number recorded in the last five years by the Surf Life Saving NSW State Operations Centre (SOC) for that 11-day period.

In that time, surf lifesavers and lifeguards also completed 56,470 preventative actions, administered first aid to 1,428 people, and called 75 ambulances to attend incidents.

Emergency incidents tallied 85 – a high in the past five years too.

Meanwhile, there have been six coastal drownings for the summer so far (1st December to present), down four on the same time and for the same period last year. All recorded drownings over summer came at unpatrolled locations.

For the first time, this summer SLSNSW is temporarily relocating metropolitan-based volunteer lifesavers to regional locations to bolster patrolling capability.

NSW Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke noted “NSW has been faced with three consecutive La Nina cycles and I know that people are very keen to enjoy our beautiful beaches when the weather is right, but I want everyone to remember their trip to the beach for the right reasons.

“Every drowning is tragic and often preventable if simple precautions are taken, like swimming at patrolled locations, between the flags, supervising children and not swimming under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”

SLSNSW President George Shales commends the many thousands of members who patrolled the beaches over the Christmas and New Year period and advises “It is traditionally one of our busiest times of the year and it held true once again this time around, and to see a record number of rescues is testament to the fantastic work our volunteers do to keep beachgoers safe.

“Many of our lifesavers who were performing rescues over the break had also responded to the NSW flood emergency earlier in the year and many are still deployed in far western NSW, which just shows the impact the movement has on so many communities.

“The sheer volume of incidents, rescues and preventative actions has shone a light on lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers up and down the coastline and highlighted just how lucky we are to have dedicated, well-resourced individuals looking out for our safety on the beach.

“It’s important, though, to remember that we also must look out for our own safety and make smart decisions when we head to the coastline. That begins with choosing to visit a patrolled beach and swimming between the red and yellow flags.”

SLSNSW Chief Executive Steve Pearce said too many lives are lost at unpatrolled beaches and added “it’s the simplest thing you can do to stay safe when you head to the beach, swim at one of the 129 patrolled locations along our State’s coastline, because if our lifesavers can’t see you, they can’t save you.

“Regardless of what you’re doing on the water, it’s absolutely vital that you check the conditions prior to heading out, understand the environment you are entering, understand your own limitations and abilities, and ensure you are prepared should things go wrong.”