The ocean can be a dangerous place. Nationally, there were 141 beach-related drownings last season, and 100% of these occurred where no patrols were present. Surf Life Saving WA (SLSWA) is appealing to the public to help them keep you safe this summer – please swim at a patrolled location. We want everyone to return home to their families.
Providing a patrol service is the number one method of making your day at the beach safe. If you swim at a beach where there is no patrol you are literally taking your life and the lives of your family into your own hands.
Surf Life Saving WA General Manager of Lifesaving, Chris Peck, said unfortunately, even when a patrolled location is proximate, some people are still choosing to swim where no patrol is present. This behaviour is irresponsible.
“With 13,000km of coastline, obviously patrol services can’t be everywhere at the same time. You may be in a region or remote location where no services are present. In these instances, SLSWA calls upon you to follow the newly released safety campaign – Stop. Look & Stay Alive”, said Mr Peck.
“Stop before you go into the water. Look for the red and yellow flags of a patrolled location or read the safety signs for known dangers at that beach. Assess the risk based on your abilities, and if in doubt, don’t go in”, said Mr Peck. “It really can be that simple”.
If you are a parent, please consider enrolling your children into the Woodside Nippers program where they will learn vital coastal safety skills that will stay with them for life and create generational changes within their future families. Enrolments are ongoing.
SLSWA also calls upon all levels of government to consider the implementation of additional patrol services at those high visitation locations where no services are currently present.
“This summer has been extraordinarily busy at our beaches, and with the increase in beach goers the probability of rescues increases” said Mr Peck.
Since the start of summer, beach rescue statistics have increased week on week by almost 100% in Western Australia. Mr Peck commended the patrolling surf life savers who have done a tremendous job in keeping the public safe.
With Australia Day long weekend fast approaching we encourage everyone to Stop, Look and Stay Alive.
