SLSNZ plea for zero beach drownings

Surf Life Saving NZ is hoping for zero drownings this summer. File Photo.

A fun day out at the beach turned to tragedy for 15 people who drowned at unpatrolled beach locations last summer.

As 4000 volunteer lifeguards prepare to head out on patrol for another summer season, they are pleading for people to choose patrolled beaches and swim between the flags this year.

The patrol season officially begins this Labour Weekend at some Coromandel beaches and at Mount Maunganui, with patrols being rolled out across the rest of the Bay of Plenty throughout November as the weather warms up.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand national lifesaving manager Allan Mundy says during the 2015/16 summer season lifeguards saved 1517 people from life threatening situations.

'Sadly, there were 57* preventable drowning deaths last summer from October 24 of last year to March 22 of this year, of which 15 occurred at beaches. None of those were at patrolled locations.

'We cannot stress enough, the importance of being prepared and choosing one of our 80 patrol locations nationwide so we can be there for you if you get into trouble.”

Of the 15 beach drownings last season, the standout cause was rips with seven deaths directly resulting from swimmers getting caught in them.

Alan says many people panic when they find themselves caught in a rip and they tire themselves quickly by trying to fight against it.

'The safest place to swim is always between the flags as lifeguards actively seek out the safest place on the beach to set them up and will regularly move them throughout the day as the surf conditions change.”

Rips are caused by complex interactions between the sea (tides, waves, current) and the shape of the shore bed. As waves travel from deep to shallow water, they eventually break near the shoreline. All of this water needs to get back to sea and thus a rip current is formed.

Anyone who finds themselves caught in a rip should lie on their back and raise their hand to signal for help. If you spot someone in a rip at an unpatrolled beach, ensure your own safety and call 111 and ask for Police.

For more information about Surf Life Saving and patrolled beach locations visit www.surflifesaving.org.nz

*There was a total of 61 drownings between October 24, 2015 and March 22, 2016 with 57 considered preventable. The other four were a result of either suicides or road vehicle accidents.

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