VOLUNTEER lifesavers have issued a strong appeal to beachgoers to swim between the flags.
The appeal comes as the patrol season kicked off for the year, with volunteer lifesavers taking to the beaches to watch over swimmers every weekend and public holiday until May.
Lifesaving director for Point Lookout Surf Life Saving Club Dave Westby said there had been five major incidents on North Stradbroke Island over the last two years.
Most occurred outside the flagged swimming area.
“If we can’t see you, we can’t rescue you,” Mr Westby said.
“People need to be in a place where we can see them.”
Mr Westby said the Point Lookout club had about 600 members, with 120 of those involved in beach patrols.
“Council lifeguards are on duty during the week,” he said.
“Our lifesavers volunteer their time for free.”
Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan said Surf Life Saving Queensland was one of the largest volunteer-based community organisations in Australia, with more than 30,000 members in 58 clubs and six branches in Queensland.
“It’s great to see how SLSQ members are so passionate about water safety and proactive in leading the way in advocacy and community leadership programs, striving to make our beaches and public waterways safe and healthy for everyone,” Mr Ryan said.
SLSQ regional operations manager Craig Holden said it was important for beachgoers to look out for each other and put safety first at all times.
“The best way to protect yourself at the beach is to only swim at patrolled locations and only between the red and yellow flags,” he said.
“Each season, our volunteer surf lifesavers selflessly dedicate countless hours of their own time to protect and watch over thousands of people, and I’d like to welcome them back to the beach for another season of patrols.”
Drowning report
The appeal from lifesavers comes as the Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report showed 291 people died from drowning in Australia in the 2016/17 financial year, a 3 per cent increase on the previous year.
A total of 73 of the drowning deaths occurred in Queensland.
Rivers were the leading location for fatal drowning with 68 drowning deaths, followed by 50 deaths at beaches, 46 in the ocean or harbours and 44 in swimming pools.
Sport and Health Minister Greg Hunt said the statistics were a sobering reminder to actively supervise children around water, for people to learn to swim and increase lifejacket use.
Irukandji syndrome
Mr Holden also warned visitors to Fraser Island to exercise caution over summer, with at least 10 people developing Irukandji syndrome after receiving stings in the water last December and January.
While it remains unconfirmed exactly what type of marine stinger was involved in those incidents, Mr Holden said it was important for visitors to remain vigilant about their safety.
Appeals
Mr Westby said they always needed more volunteers.
“We have three patrols each day, with about 10 members in each patrol,” he said.
Volunteer lifesavers must be able to swim, but would be trained in the necessary skills.
Anyone aged at least 14 would be eligible.
Life saving clubs also welcomed financial assistance, with the Point Lookout club needing about $300,000 a year to maintain and keep patrols on the beach.
Anyone interesting in joining or supporting Point Lookout Surf Life Saving Club can phone 0428 771 377 or visit pointlookoutslsc.com.au.
The Coochiemudlo Island Surf Life Saving Club can be contacted by visiting coochiemudloislandslsc.weebly.com.
