Together with your support, we can save lives.
Volunteer surf lifesavers rescue four people outside patrol hours
Nationally, Surf Life Saving services have conducted close to 6,000 rescues since the start of summer (n=5,987), that is from 1 December 2022 up to and including 19th February 2023.
At approximately 6pm on Australia Day last year, an hour after a long day of patrolling had finished, volunteer surf lifesavers Paul and Jessika from Garie Surf Life Saving Club in New South Wales noticed a group of people swimming near a rip current at the southern end of Garie Beach. Before they could be alerted, they were soon caught in this rip.
Seeing that four swimmers were now caught in the rip, Paul and Jess’ surf lifesaving training kicked in. They ran downstairs to the gear shed where Paul loaded the Side-by-Side Vehicle (SSV) with first aid equipment and a rescue board, while Jess grabbed a few rescue tubes and ran down the beach to provide immediate assistance.
On arrival at the water’s edge, Jess conducted a quick risk assessment and identified a male swimmer closest to the shore to be most in need of assistance and swam out to rescue him. On returning to shore, she left the patient with Paul to assess while she went back out for the others.
Jess identified that a female patient, now separated from the group, was a further 50 metres out to sea. Jess prioritised her as the next patient requiring assistance and swam out and rescued her.
Jess then turned to locate the remaining two girls who were now over 100 metres out to sea. She heard them screaming and saw that they were starting to go under. Relying on her training to remain calm and focused, she began her swim through the surf.
She noticed that Charlie, an off-duty Surf Life Saving member who was surfing about 200 metres north of them, had heard the girls’ screams and paddled over to assist. Charlie had secured the two girls on his board. Jess joined him and took one of the girls in the rescue tube and swam her back to shore while Charlie continued in with the other girl.
Thanks to their vigilance, training and access to rescue gear, they were able to return all of the swimmers safely to shore. This could have been four families that would have had to deal with the loss of a loved one if not for the actions taken.
Upon reaching the shore Jess commenced a full assessment of all four patients. The first two patients were deemed stable while the third patient was placed in the recovery position to be assessed. The fourth patient was thankfully not showing signs of distress or water inhalation so was able to sit down and be watched over by some members of the public.
Jess then began a second assessment of all patients. The second patient had begun drifting in and out of consciousness and displaying signs of shock. Although oxygen was being administered, the patient continued to deteriorate, and her conscious state quickly dropped. She could no longer support her own breathing. This was an emergency. Jess and Paul immediately started CPR.
Before long, two rescue helicopters arrived, along with additional emergency services. Charlie, Paul and Jess were estimated to be supporting the patients alone for over 40 minutes before more help arrived.
If it wasn’t for the quick response, patient prioritisation and hard work of Jess, Paul, Charlie and the local surfers that afternoon, there would have been four less people going home on Australia Day last year – an outcome that no one wants to contemplate.
As we approach this extremely busy day on Australian beaches once more, we’re calling on your support to ensure that our volunteer surf lifesavers have the rescue gear and equipment they need to be prepared for any emergency. Did you know that drowning deaths are 2.3 times more likely to occur on a public holiday?
Where does my money go? Can even a small donation help? Your questions answered.
The SLSF was established to support our unique not-for-profit community cause that exists through community donations, fundraising, corporate sponsorships and government grants.
With over 180,000 members and 315 affiliated Surf Life Saving Clubs, SLS represents the largest volunteer movement of its kind in Australia, and the world.
- Maintain and replace lifesaving rescue equipment
- Enhance the training and development programs for volunteer surf lifesavers
- Expand community surf safety campaigns
- Fund aquatic safety research and development
- Continue to provide support services including communications networks, aerial patrols and powered watercraft
Every year millions of people visit our beaches, and thousands of these visitors find themselves in urgent need of a life saving rescue. This is what we are here for, to keep your family and friends safe in the water.
Your support today will ensure that millions of adults and children who visit the beach go home safely.
Did you know?
- It costs at least $850 to train a new volunteer to Bronze Medallion standard. Surf lifesavers are trained in First Aid, CPR and rescue techniques. Importantly, all of our lifesavers must continue to refresh and update their skills.
- Rescue gear and equipment are some of the largest costs associated with providing lifesaving services throughout Australia. A full life saving patrol can cost up to $80,000.
- Prevention is better than cure, and the best way to save lives at the beach is by teaching people how to stay out of danger. We run campaigns on how to spot rips and what to do if you are caught in one (swim parallel to the shore!).
No matter what area your donation goes towards, you can be sure that it will make a vital contribution to saving lives.
Could you give regularly?
As well as training new volunteer surf lifesaver, your monthly donation helps repair and replace the equipment that constant exposure to the sun and sea can damage. As a Guardian of the Surf your monthly donation ensures that we are rescue-ready at a moment’s notice. You would be the silent hero behind every life saved.