Authorities are pleading with beachgoers to swim at patrolled beaches
As a spate of drownings hit Australian shores, there’s a plea for beachgoers to do one simple act to help save lives.
Every person who has drowned on NSW beaches this summer had been swimming at unpatrolled beaches, prompting an urgent plea from authorities.
“Currently we have had nine coastal drownings in NSW since the beginning of summer, all of which have been in unpatrolled locations or after patrol hours have concluded by either lifesavers or lifeguards,” Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steve Pearce said.
The influx of local and international tourists means many beaches can become over crowded, pushing some locals and visitors to remote waterways or coastal beaches opting for a quieter experience.
As coastal beaches are often unpatrolled this can leave beachgoers at a higher risk of not receiving immediate assistance when needed, the most recent NSW Surf Life Saving NSW report said.
The family of Michael Seddon who drowned at a popular beach on the weekend is also begging others to only swim in areas where lifesavers are on patrol.
The father-of six drowned at Ettalong Beach in NSW while trying to save his 10-year-old son when we became caught in a rip.
Mr Seddon’s mother, Lilian Sneddon-Camilleri wants other families to avoid the heartache her family is experiencing.
“I don’t want other people to go through this,” she said
“He was a good son, and I loved him. I just want other parents to learn from this. Don’t swim where there’s no supervision, and have safety things, like life jackets, on you,” she said.
The NSW Surf Lifesaving report also documented a total of 48 coastal drownings for 2022-23.
While the numbers of drownings are shocking, Mr Pearce said drowning reductions and rescues had already been improved through the NSW government funding for drowning prevention in unpatrolled locations.
“Lifesavers have conducted hundreds of successful rescues and multiple successful CPR resuscitations both in and outside of patrolled locations,” said Mr Pearce.
Since 1 July 2023, NSW Surf Life Saving has reported successfully conducting 1758 rescues, along with 874 rescues successfully completed from the start of Summer.
Last year the NSW government announced their biggest pledge in funding to Surf Life Saving NSW, committing more than $23m across four years to help keep beaches safe.
As part of the funding package, Surf Life Saving will receive $18m over the four years, through the NSW Rescue Capability Grant.
The grant will provide funds for additional resources and equipment including 67 rescue watercraft, such as jet skis.
When asked why are we not seeing a decrease in the number of beach related drownings since the funding initiative, Mr Pearce said the funding only began on July 1 last year.
“Projects have only just been activated to address the target outcomes of the funding to attempt to reduce coastal drowning deaths, so many of these programs and initiatives will not start to realise full effect for a little while yet,” he said.
Following the death of Mr Sneddon on Saturday, Central Coast council have issued a reminded to those visiting beaches in the area.
“Swim at patrolled beaches only and stay between the flags,” a council representative said.
“[We] have lifeguards and surf lifesavers patrolling 15 Central Coast beaches”.
“Council... sends sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.”
Injury Epidemiologist and Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, UNSW, School of Population Health, Lisa Sharwood said if you notice someone is in danger of drowning, the first cause of action is to send for help.
“If you see danger, or would put yourself in danger, do not enter the water... Sending for help is the first thing to do,” she said.
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Professor Sharwood agreed drowning prevention strategies are fundamental in preventing further deaths on our coast line this summer.
“Stay alert, always know where your children are, don’t enter waterways beyond your physical capability,” she said.
The beach patrolling season in NSW runs until 28 April 2024.
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