Last weekend, surf lifesavers on West Australian beaches performed 222 rescues, a massive 1,608% increase on the same weekend last year.
Research shows that the coastal drowning risk is more than four times greater on a summer public holiday. In the lead-up to the Australia Day long weekend, Surf Life Saving WA is pleading with beachgoers to make sensible decisions regarding their safety at the beach.
“More than 220 rescues in just one weekend paints a picture of the conditions we’re experiencing,” said Surf Life Saving WA General Manager Lifesaving, Chris Peck.
“While it’s fantastic that these people were swimming at a patrolled beach where our lifesavers could go to their aid when they got in trouble, how many of these scenarios could have ended in tragedy were our lifesavers not on hand to help out.”
It tells us that too many people are still taking unnecessary risks and going into the water when they should be staying on the sand.
“It is the common scenario of people overestimating their abilities and underestimating the conditions. Just because they were safe swimming there last week doesn’t mean it’ll be safe this week.”
Since the start of summer, there have been 10 coastal drowning fatalities in WA, bringing the total to 17 this season*, and with the continuing hot weather, SLSWA is urging people to heed the safety messages.
“Stop before you go into the water,” said Mr Peck.
“Look for the red and yellow flags, or if at an unpatrolled location, check out any safety signs. Assess the conditions according to your abilities, and if in doubt, don’t go in.”
Since the start of this summer, Surf Life Saving WA services have performed 378 rescues, up 180% on the same time last year, and 45,165 preventative actions, up 26%.
Top locations for rescues performed by Surf Life Saving WA services are:
- Trigg Beach
- Scarborough Beach
- Secret Harbour
- City Beach
*Since 1 July 2024.
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