Before racing into the ocean it pays to stop, look, and plan no matter what your age or ability in the water.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This is the key message from surf life savers heading into the busy Christmas holiday period.
Rip currents and dangerous surf conditions are an ever present danger on NSW beaches responsible for a significant number of rescues performed by surf lifesavers.
Alarmingly, research shows that while beachgoers express confidence in their ability to recognise a rip, in reality less than half actually can.
It is believed that nearly 4 million Australians have experienced the terror of being caught in a rip current with the majority of those involved in a fatal incident are males aged 25-39.
Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steven Pearce said the safety campaign was a timely reminder for people to be conscious of the dangers of the ocean during at a time of the year when people are looking forward to relaxing at the beach.
“NSW has some of the best beaches and stretches of coastline in the country, however rips can happen anywhere anytime and this is why we strongly encourage people to swim at a patrolled location and between those red and yellow flags,” Mr Pearce said.
“Sadly we have already had a number of coastal drownings this year and we don’t want to add to that number by people getting caught in a rip and tragically drowning.
“If you do happen to find yourself caught in a rip it’s crucial not to panic. You need to conserve energy and wait for assistance from surf lifesavers. However prevention is the best course of action and we urge everyone to stop, look, and plan before entering the water.”
Rips are complex, can quickly change shape and location, and at times, are difficult to see.
The things to look for are:
- Deeper, dark-coloured water
- Fewer breaking waves
- A rippled surface surrounded by smooth waters
- Anything floating out to sea or foamy, discoloured, sandy, water flowing out beyond the waves
How to survive a rip current?
- Relax – stay calm and float to conserve your energy
- Raise – raise your arm and attract attention from lifeguards or lifesavers
- Rescue – the lifeguards or lifesavers will be on their way to help you
- While floating, rip currents may flow in a circular pattern and return you to an adjacent sandbar
- You may escape the rip current by swimming parallel to the beach, towards the breaking waves
- Reassess your situation. If what you’re doing isn’t working, try one of the other options until you’re rescued or return to shore.
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.
