Summer is here in Australia, along with the start of the peak season for Queensland lifesavers and lifeguards.
As the weather heats up and more people flock to Queensland’s beautiful beaches, volunteer lifesavers and professional lifeguards will be hard at work keeping beachgoers safe.
Last season, SLSQ lifesavers and lifeguards saved 3101 lives, completed 588,993 preventative actions, and performed 32,996 first aid treatments.
Sadly, there were 13 drownings across Queensland beaches last season and 12 of these occurred outside patrol areas and hours.
To coincide with National Water Safety Day, and to ultimately help keep Queensland beachgoers safe this summer, SLSQ launched the first phase of the Be A Lifesaver! campaign.
National Water Safety Day is a timely reminder to always be vigilant when enjoying the waterways.
Over the next four weeks SLSQ will release four campaigns targeting the key at-risk demographics identified in the 2022 Coast Safe Report, released earlier this year.
In anticipation of the upcoming summer school holiday period, the first campaign launched targets families and reminds them to always swim at patrolled beaches, during patrol hours and between the red and yellow flags.
SLSQ general manager Peta Lawlor explained how important it was for beachgoers to do their part to ensure they could enjoy Queensland’s beautiful beaches and then return home to their loved ones at the end of the day.
“Our lifesavers and lifeguards are highly skilled but with unpredictable surf conditions they need beachgoers to do their part to stay safe at the beach,” Ms Lawlor said.
“Based on the findings of the 2022 Coast Safe Report, SLSQ will this summer be targeting our surf safety messages to families, young males aged 20-49 years, and international visitors, as well as educating people on stinger prevention.
“The first phase of the Be A Lifesaver! campaign reminds parents and guardians that when it comes to the beach and surf, we need to be a better example for the kids and be the one to look out for the family and care. If not for you, then for them. So, just do it for the kids! Be a lifesaver!
“As we spread our surf safety message this summer, we will be reminding beachgoers that ‘She’ll be right won’t save your life – so be a lifesaver and swim between the flags’.”
