Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service lands important message among young Aussies to stay safe this season

For more than 51 years, the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service has been keeping Australians safe along our coastlines, waterways and mountain regions through to the bush. Ahead of another unpredictable summer season, Westpac and the Service are encouraging Aussies to plan ahead and put safety first when enjoying the great Australian outdoors, no matter where you live.

On Wednesday, Westpac and Surf Life Saving WA’s Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter landed at Two Rocks Primary School to help share important water safety messages with the community, particularly among young Australians.

Recent statistics from the National Drowning Report¹ show that in WA, drowning rates among children 0-4 years were 52% higher this year compared to the 10-year average. This is in contrast to the national picture where numbers in this group are falling.

Nationally, people aged 15-24 years reported a drowning rate last year, which was at a 16% increase compared to the 10-year average.

Surf Life Saving WA General Manager Lifesaving, Chris Peck said, “As we see the return of the warmer weather and people heading more frequently to our beautiful beaches, it’s timely to remind them of the precautions they can take to ensure an enjoyable and safe visit to the beach.”

“The opportunity today to work with Westpac to deliver the beach safety message and talk about the important work of our Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter with the Two Rocks Primary School community is an important step in helping educate and raise the awareness of more West Australians about beach safety and making our coastline a safer place for people to recreate.”

Larissa Shepherd, State General Manager, Westpac WA says, “We’re incredibly proud of our partnership with the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Services across the country. They’re a symbol of hope and safety in the sky, with more than 100,000 missions performed nationally

over 51 years. We’re very humbled to play a role in helping to ensure no one has ever had to pay to be rescued.

“In WA we all know the Choppers well, as they patrol our skies each summer season. But today is a good reminder that we need to continue to spread the message among our community, particularly our young ones, about how to stay safe when heading to the coast or out on the water,” continued Larissa Shepherd.

Surf Life Saving Western Australia advises people heading to the water this summer:

• Always supervise children in, or around water
• Learn swimming, water safety and lifesaving skills
• Wear a lifejacket when boating, rock fishing or paddling
• Swim at a patrolled beach between the red and yellow flags
• Avoid alcohol and drugs around water
• Check the conditions, including weather forecasts
• Know your limits

More water safety tips and information can be found at https://beachsafe.org.au/surf-safety

1. National Drowning Report 2024: Royal Life Saving Society – Australia & Surf Life Saving Australia 2024