Beachgoers thanked for staying safe in the heat

VOLUNTEER lifesavers and paid lifeguards were kept busy during the recent burst of hot weather, performing 126 rescues between January 22-28.

The extreme heat kept volunteer lifesavers and paid lifeguards busy with 20,451 preventive actions and 207 first aid incidents but no drownings during the last week of the school holidays.

Beach attendance over the long weekend at patrolled locations was estimated at 432,533 people who sought relief from the heat.

“After a shocking summer for drownings, with the highest number over summer since records began in 2000, we’d like to thank the public for heeding our calls for water safety,” LSV general manager Paul Shannon said.

The weekend didn’t go by without incident – on January 27, two fathers and five children were caught in a rip current at Airey’s Inlet, being dragged to the back of the break before surfers and beachgoers took on the role of everyday lifesavers, and were assisted by nearby Fairhaven SLSC patrollers.

Chris Corr and his friend were kayaking nearby when their children – aged between 8 and 13 – were caught in the rip, spurring the pair to go in and help.

Mr Corr said the group were all good swimmers and experienced in the surf, but Mr Shannon said even the strongest swimmers could find themselves in trouble.

“This could have ended tragically in a very different outcome and all members of the public should be praised,” Mr Shannon said.

“The fact the group stayed calm and didn’t panic is a huge learning for others to remember if they get caught in a similar situation.”

Two-thirds of people don’t know how to identify a rip, or what to do if caught in one.

LSV urges everyone to brush up on their rip current knowledge at beachsafe.org.au/surfsafety/ripcurrents.

In addition to lifesavers and lifeguards on the beach, Victoria’s two Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopters provided vital support, keeping an eye on beachgoers from the sky, and assisting in the rescue at Aireys Inlet.