Beyond Patrol Issue 13 2017

SURF LIFE SAVING QUEENSLAND

ISSUE 13 | 2017

Lifesavers respond to flood crisis Thousands line up in pursuit of state glory Pool owners urged to learn lifesaving skills

Welcome

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n behalf of Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) I would like to welcome you to the latest edition of our quarterly magazine Beyond Patrol.

It continues to be an exceptionally busy, yet productive, period of time for our organisation as we pursue positive strategies both on and off the beach in a bid to save lives and prevent drownings along the state’s coastline and in all Queensland public waterways. While much of this work takes shape in the form of front-line surf patrols, it would be remiss to overlook the efforts and raft of other initiatives that have been rolled out behind the scenes and off the beach.

Amongst others, our community awareness programs continue to provide vital water safety education to high-risk groups of beachgoers, while regular first aid and CPR courses equip everyday Queenslanders with vital lifesaving skills. Meanwhile, our youth development initiatives ensure that emerging leaders are identified and equipped with the resources to effect positive change within their respective regions, and our sporting programs provide lifesavers with vital opportunities to hone the very same search and rescue skills they regularly use on patrol.

It’s through a combination of these strategies, and many more, that SLSQ is able to best position itself as we strive towards achieving our overarching vision of ‘Zero preventable deaths in Queensland public waters.’

Importantly, all of this hard work is continuing to pay dividends, and I am particularly pleased to report there were zero drownings along Queensland’s coastline during the peak summer months of December, January and February. Remarkably, it was the first drowning-free summer on our beaches since 2008/09 and just the third since SLSQ began tracking coastal data more than 20 years ago.

During the summer months, our lifesavers and lifeguards combined to watch over 8.6 million people, treat in excess of 56,000 first aid patients, and directly rescue 1,400 people from the surf. Even a cursory glance at these statistics shows the importance of SLSQ’s patrolling members to the Queensland community, and its expansive tourism industry, has never been greater.

Away from patrols, we recently saw more than 3,000 lifesavers from all corners of the state take to the water for the 2017 Queensland Youth, Masters and Senior Surf Life Saving Championships. As always, the competition was fierce but it was just as pleasing to see such passion, pride and camaraderie on display amongst fellow lifesavers. Congratulations to Alexandra Headland for taking out the Youth and Masters divisions, and Northcliffe for winning the Senior Championships. Northcliffe also went on to win the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, a wonderful effort.

John Brennan OAM Chief Executive Officer Surf Life Saving Queensland

Surf Life Saving Queensland 18 Manning Street, South Brisbane, QLD, 4101 t. 07 3846 8000 | w. lifesaving.com.au Beyond Patrol staff and contributors: Writers/Editors: Cameron Ward, Saira Manns Designers: Chloe Koklas, Hannah Gynther and Sharni Newbury

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Lifesavers take to the water during flood crisis

Dozens of surf lifesavers from across the state recently rallied to provide emergency relief and care to devastated communities in the aftermath of ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie.

With the state’s south reeling from some of the worst flooding seen in years, Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) deployed assets and personnel to assist in some of the hardest-hit regions.

Working directly with the Queensland Police Service, and other emergency agencies, SLSQ’s lifesavers and lifeguards navigated the challenging floodwater using inflatable rescue boats to assist with search and rescue missions and welfare checks (pictured right).

Meanwhile, as the cyclone bore down on north and central Queensland, SLSQ’s emergency response groups from Townsville through to Mackay were placed on standby, with rescue equipment, first aid kits, and volunteers ready to respond if and when needed.

The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service was also on standby, before being successfully tasked to assist a male in his 50s who was stranded on the roof of his car in rising floodwaters near Laravale.

SLSQ operations support coordinator Jason Argent said the successful operation added to the organisation’s experience when it came to disaster management.

“This wasn’t actually a new situation for us.

We’ve been involved in disaster management and emergency response previously, most notably during the 2011 Brisbane floods, and that experience certainly helped our response efforts during Tropical Cyclone Debbie,” he said.

“As an organisation, we have more than a century of aquatic and white-water rescue training behind us and, importantly, we were able to transfer that expertise to an urban setting.

“The surf lifesaving movement is built on the premise of mateship and helping those in their hour

of need, be it on or off the beach. It was wonderful to see our members pull together and do what it takes to help the Queensland community,” he said.

With the cyclone also creating dangerous swell and conditions across Queensland, SLSQ’s lifeguards and surf lifesavers worked directly with councils and other key stakeholders to close beaches and proactively prevent people from entering the water.

While protecting the state’s coastline will always be SLSQ’s main priority, Mr Argent said the organisation’s extensive network of manpower and resources positioned it to make a significant contribution during flooding and other emergencies.

“The success of our operation here, alongside our other emergency response work, provides a clear demonstration of the key role that our members and assets can play during disasters,” he said.

“Our goal is to support the community and other emergency services by providing a 24/7 lifesaving and rescue response capability. This is further proof of our ability to provide a wider service to the community outside of our traditional role of keeping Queensland beachgoers safe.”

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Dramatic summer comes to an end with no drownings on Queensland beaches

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ecord crowds of beachgoers, more than a thousand rescues, challenging heatwave conditions, and a 900 per cent increase in bluebottles made it a summer that Queensland’s lifesavers and lifeguards won’t soon forget.

Statistics recently released by Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) show that lifeguards and lifesavers watched over and protected more than 8.6 million beachgoers across the state during the summer season. That represents a significant increase of approximately 13 per cent when compared to the year before, making it one of the busiest summers in SLSQ’s history.

Importantly, during this time, lifesavers and lifeguards combined to rescue 1,400 people across the state to ensure there were zero drownings on Queensland beaches during the peak summer months for the first time since 2008/09.

To mark the end of summer SLSQ laid 1,400 pairs of red and yellow thongs, one for every life saved over summer, on the sand near Southport in a bid to visually represent and acknowledge the tireless work of the red and yellow army in recent months (pictured right).

Remarkably, 1,040 of those lives saved – or roughly 75 per cent – involved rescues outside of the flags, including 84 that occurred more than one kilometre away from the nearest patrol service.

In addition, lifesavers and lifeguards combined to treat 55,175 injured first aid patients over the summer months, up from 11,700 the year before.

Of these, there were 38,135 bluebottle stings recorded in Queensland, almost ten times more than the 3,696 stings in 2015/16.

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The following month, on 9 January 2017, helicopter crews were on-site to assist a number of patients who were left in a perilous position after their boat overturned at Tallebudgera Bar on the Gold Coast.

Looking back at summer, SLSQ chief operating officer George Hill ESM was full of praise for the contributions of all lifesavers, lifeguards and helicopter crew, saying their efforts were nothing short of extraordinary in testing conditions.

“It turned out to be a mammoth summer for surf lifesavers and lifeguards across the state, particularly with the scorching temperatures driving record crowds of people to the beach,” he said.

“On top of that, the warmer water temperatures and sustained northerly winds led to a huge influx of bluebottles in South East Queensland and other dangerous marine creatures in regional areas across the state.

“We also had to contend with numerous shark sightings and, further up north, crocodile management as well,” he said.

For as long as SLSQ has been recording coastal data, there have only been three summers without a drowning across the state – a testament, Mr Hill said, to the frontline work of all patrolling members and lifeguards.

Lifesavers and lifeguards fielded extended services across much of the peak period, while SLSQ’s Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service (WLRHS) also boosted patrols at various times and was involved in two dramatic rescues.

“The statistics really speak for themselves in terms of how busy our patrolling members were over summer. We saw record crowds of people flock to the beach, which made for some extremely challenging scenarios but they’re exactly the types of situations that we train for,” he said.

The first of these occurred on 29 December 2016 after WLRHS crews spotted a female swimmer in distress, caught in a dangerous rip off Burleigh, and struggling to remain afloat and keep her head above water. Reacting immediately, crews entered the water and secured the exhausted swimmer before winching her to safety.

“The most important thing for us, though, is there were zero drownings on Queensland beaches during summer, and that’s something that we’re extremely proud of. To see over eight million people head to the beach and every single one of them to get home safely is a wonderful outcome for us and a wonderful outcome for Queensland.”

While pleased with the summer season, Mr Hill admitted the number of people continuing to swim outside of the flags was an ongoing frustration.

you’re an experienced swimmer, the ocean is an unpredictable environment and conditions can change in the blink of an eye.

“There were some close calls, there’s no doubt about that, and they often stemmed from the fact that people were putting their lives on the line by swimming outside of the flags,” he said.

“Make no mistake about it, when you swim at an unpatrolled spot, you’re not only risking your own life but you’re also risking the lives of our patrolling members,” he said.

Lifesavers and lifeguards combined to rescue 1,400 people across the state, ensuring there were zero drownings on Queensland beaches during the peak summer months for the first time since 2008/09.

“I can’t stress enough how dangerous it is to enter the water at an unpatrolled location. Even if

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SLSQ calls on all pool owners to learn CPR

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urf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) has renewed calls for all pool owners and regular swimmers to learn vital first aid and CPR skills following a number of backyard accidents and tragic drownings in recent months.

Through its commercial training arm, the Australian Lifesaving Academy Queensland, SLSQ equips thousands of people each and every year with the skills, awareness, and confidence to provide basic treatment and life support following an accident or emergency situation.

Sadly, deaths due to drownings in backyard swimming pools became an all too regular feature in the news this past summer.

With that in mind, SLSQ Academy operations manager Ken Clark urged all pool owners to make a concerted effort to undertake first aid and CPR training, saying it only took a few hours to learn lifelong and potentially lifesaving skills.

“Tragically, we’ve seen a number of accidents, near-drownings and fatalities in and around backyard pools over the past six months and it really hits home just how important it is for everyone to have at least a basic understanding of first aid and CPR treatment,” Mr Clark said.

“We’re imploring all parents with young children, but particularly those who own pools, to update their knowledge of first aid and CPR.

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“The skills don’t take long to learn but it’s definitely an investment worth making. Knowing first aid and CPR can literally be lifesaving in the right situation.

“We’d love to see more people in the community with the skills and confidence to step in when required and help save a life,” he said.

Like every facet of SLSQ’s operations, the Academy exists for one reason and one reason only: to save lives.

Its overarching purpose is to bring more than a century of lifesaving experience from the beach to the home, school, or workplace; because we don’t believe the vital skills needed to save a life should be restricted to the sand or surf.

Importantly, all trainers are highly-qualified surf lifesavers in their own right, often bringing decades of practical and hands-on experience in emergency care management to each session.

While Mr Clark would love to see more pool owners learning first aid and CPR, he said they were important skills for each and every Queenslander to have.

“Accidents can happen anywhere at any time and, when they do, every second counts,” he said.

“It could be a heart attack in the office, an accident on the way to work, or maybe you’ll witness a car crash, but the odds suggest that eventually you’ll be in a situation where somebody really needs your help and assistance.

“The first few minutes after a serious injury or accident are crucial, and having the basic first aid knowledge and awareness to respond accordingly ensures the victim can receive vital medical attention when they need it the most.

“Even if you immediately phone for an ambulance, it could take up to fifteen minutes or more for paramedics to arrive on the scene. Applying first aid and CPR treatment during that window provides the patient with their best possible chance of survival,” he said.

So, what should people do if they find themselves at the scene of an accident?

“Members of the public can follow a process of basic life support by using the acronym DRSABCD,” Mr Clark explained.

This includes: • Danger: Check for any possible dangers to yourself, the patient, and bystanders • Response: Check the patient’s response to verbal and physical signals • Send for help: If required, immediately send for help by dialling triple zero (000) • Airway: Check to see if the patient’s airway is clear and remove any blockages if required • Breathing: Check to see if the patient is breathing normally • CPR: If the patient is not breathing normally, immediately commence CPR • Defibrillator: If a defibrillator is available, connect it immediately and follow the prompts

“It’s no exaggeration to say that knowing first aid and CPR can literally save lives in the right situations,” he said.

“Responding immediately after a serious accident is paramount, no matter how grave the outlook might seem at the time.

“At the end of the day, any attempt at first aid and resuscitation is better than nothing, but good CPR is obviously much better.”

A fully accredited Registered Training Organisation, the Academy offers a diverse range of first aid, CPR, emergency care and aquatic rescue training courses for corporate clients and individual members of the community.

In line with SLSQ’s vision of eliminating drowning deaths across the state, all proceeds raised through the Academy are directly invested straight back into funding crucial surf safety initiatives and programs along Queensland’s coastline.

The first few minutes after a serious injury or accident are crucial, and having the basic first aid knowledge and awareness to respond accordingly ensures the victim can receive vital medical attention when they need it the most.

–K en Clark Academy Manager

For further information about emergency care training, contact SLSQ on 1300 766 257 or email bookings@alaq.com.au.

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Thousands line up in their pursuit of state glory Thousands of lifesavers from all corners of the state hit the surf and sand across February and March, lining up to take on the sport’s best at the 2017 Queensland Youth, Senior and Masters Surf Life Saving Championships.

The pinnacle sporting events on SLSQ’s annual calendar saw more than 3,000 competitors from nippers through to fully-qualified surf lifesavers put their skills, fitness and determination to the ultimate test in their quest for state glory.

Read ahead for a full wrap of the 2017 Queensland Surf Life Saving Championships.

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Unlike other sports, our competition is all designed to test and build upon the core lifesaving skills of our members and, ultimately, that helps us enormously when it comes to protecting swimmers and keeping our beaches safe.

The action kicked off in Hervey Bay, where more than 1,500 junior surf lifesavers lined up to compete in the Queensland Youth Championships across three days from February 17-19.

The action kicked off on Friday March 10 with the Masters competition, before Queensland’s top athletes took centre stage at the Senior Championships from March 11-12.

There were a number of strong performances across the weekend, but none more so than Alexandra Headland’s Lani Pallister who won eight gold medals in the under-15 division, including individual wins in the ironwoman, rescue tube, surf board, and surf race events.

In the overall stakes, Alexandra Headland was named the top club in the Masters division while Northcliffe won its 13th straight title in the open category.

Kawana Waters nipper Jahly Stokes also showed why she’s considered a future star of the sport with a clean sweep in the under-11 water events and an impressive haul of seven medals across the weekend.

After three days of racing it was Sunshine Coast club Alexandra Headland who took out the top honours ahead of neighbouring Maroochydore and Gold Coast rival Northcliffe.

In the blue-ribbon iron events, Northcliffe’s Harriet Brown came from behind to take out the ironwoman final while club-mate Caine Eckstein dominated the male final to win his first Queensland ironman title.

“Participating and inclusiveness is such a big part of surf lifesaving and, for us, the Youth Championships are all about encouraging our younger members to get involved and give it their best shot,” he said.

It was the second consecutive title for Brown and capped off a remarkable run of form across the past 12 months, which has seen the 26-year-old take out the world title and win her first Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain IronWoman Series title.

“From our perspective, we want to create an opportunity for everyone to compete at that level, regardless of whether they’re an elite up-andcoming athlete or simply someone who’s new to surf lifesaving and wants to have a run around with their friends and club-mates.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Brown, who was forced to draw on all of her reserves after trailing early leader Danielle McKenzie by as much as 50 metres in the back-end of the race. However, a dominant swim in the third and final leg saw her storm home and claim back-to-back titles in the prestigious event.

Just a few weeks later, more than 1,600 of the state’s top competitors flocked to North Kirra on the Gold Coast for the 2017 Queensland Masters and Senior Surf Life Saving Championships from March 10-12.

Surf Life Saving Queensland

Meanwhile, Currumbin also tasted success in the beach sprint events, with Olivia Eaton winning the open female final and Jordan Caldow taking out the male final.

Reflecting on the Championships, SLSQ sports manager Stuart Hogben said it had been inspiring to see so many young surf lifesavers from across the state line up to compete.

“There were some remarkable individual performances across the weekend but, more importantly, the pride and passion we saw was second-to-none and that shows us what a wonderful future there is for surf lifesaving in Queensland,” Mr Hogben said.

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In the individual events, Currumbin solidified their reputation as a powerhouse club on the sand, with a number of strong performances in the sprint events. Elizabeth Forsyth led home a club trifecta in the open female beach flags, ahead of Olivia Eaton and Brittany Brymer, while Murdoch Finch took out the open male beach flags.

Meanwhile, in the ironman, Northcliffe’s Caine Eckstein entered the final as a raging hot favourite after cruising through his heats and early qualifiers.

The five-time Coolangatta Gold champion didn’t disappoint, with a typically dominant performance adding the Queensland ironman title to his alreadyimpressive sporting resume.

With Queensland’s key championship events continuing to grow in both size and stature, there’s no doubt that healthy sporting competition

remains one of the core foundations of the surf lifesaving movement.

enormously when it comes to protecting swimmers and keeping our beaches safe,” Mr Hogben said.

With that in mind, SLSQ remains committed to delivering competitive sporting opportunities for all lifesavers regardless of age, sex and location.

“Surf carnivals like these obviously help us promote and facilitate healthy lifestyle choices for our members but, just as importantly, they also allow them to regularly practise and hone the core skills of surf lifesaving in a competitive sporting arena.

Importantly, these championship events form just a small part of SLSQ’s annual sporting program, which sees tens of thousands of athletes from all across the state line up at various carnivals each year to compete under the overarching lifesaving umbrella.

From nippers and casual lifesavers right through to elite and professional ironmen and women, all members have the opportunity to compete in regional, state, national and international surf sport competition.

However, Mr Hogben said, there’s one big difference between surf lifesaving and other sporting codes.

“Unlike other sports, our competition is all designed to test and build upon the core lifesaving skills of our members and, ultimately, that helps us

“Whether it’s board paddling, surf swimming, or reading the movement of the ocean, the skills that are used to win gold at all of our sporting events are the exact same skills that our lifesavers may be required to use when performing beach patrols or entering the water to rescue a patient.

Whether it’s board paddling, surf swimming, or reading the movement of the ocean, the skills that are used to win gold at all of our sporting events are the exact same skills that our lifesavers may be required to use when performing beach patrols or entering the water to rescue a patient.

“For us, surf sports brings those vital skills and fitness elements into the competitive arena and helps us recognise members who are not only world-class athletes but also skilled surf lifesavers as well,” he said.

SLSQ wishes to thank the Council of the City of Gold Coast and the Fraser Coast Regional Council for their vital support in delivering the 2017 Queensland Surf Life Saving Championships.

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Lifeguards secure contract extension

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urf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) will continue to roll out and build upon its professional lifeguard services on the Sunshine Coast and Noosa after the respective councils recently voted in favour of a contract extension.

SLSQ, through its Australian Lifeguard Service Queensland, has been tasked with operating an extensive and full-time lifeguard service on behalf of both councils since October 2012, and this latest announcement will ensure it continues to do so for another five years at least.

SLSQ chief lifeguard Greg Cahill said the contract extension was a terrific endorsement from council, and would allow the organisation to consolidate and significantly build upon its coastal safety service across the wider Sunshine Coast region moving forward.

“The Sunshine Coast is home to some of the world’s most picturesque coastline and, each year, millions of people flock to the many beaches across the region,” he said.

“With the support of both councils across the past four-and-a-half years, we’ve been able to build an extensive, wide-reaching, and fully-integrated lifeguard service for the benefit of locals and tourists alike.

“We’re extremely proud of what we’ve been able to deliver so far, and over the next five years we’ll continue to work closely with council and key stakeholders to build upon our existing services and roll out new initiatives to further protect beachgoers and swimmers within the region,” he said.

SLSQ currently employs 129 lifeguards to patrol Noosa and Sunshine Coast beaches. This includes 35 permanent full-time lifeguards and a further 94 casual staff to boost patrols during peak holiday periods.

While the decision to outsource lifeguard services was initially questioned by a small minority, the subsequent benefits to local communities, council and individual lifeguards over the past four-and-ahalf years have been overwhelmingly positive.

Importantly, the decision provided an opportunity to align and streamline the region’s professional

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lifeguards alongside many of SLSQ’s other operational services, in addition to volunteer surf lifesavers, which has significantly boosted protection for all beachgoers across the region.

The fully-integrated service now sees the region’s professional lifeguards working directly with SLSQ’s Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service on a daily basis. Four lifeguards have qualified as rescue crewmembers, while one of SLSQ’s helicopters remains stationed on the Sunshine Coast and is available around-the-clock to support and assist lifeguards with unfolding search and rescue operations.

Additionally, all lifeguard patrols are now linked in with SLSQ’s state-wide State Operations and Communications Centre and are supported by its emergency response groups, roving patrols, and 24/7 coastal surveillance camera technology positioned at various high-risk beaches.

From an individual perspective, council lifeguards who transitioned across to SLSQ have been, and continue to be, provided targeted opportunities for career progression and development, along with increased access to world-class equipment.

As the only accredited white-water rescue agency in Queensland, SLSQ also seeks to provide all lifeguard staff with nationally-recognised public safety and emergency care training.

Meanwhile, the local community has benefited significantly from the additional resources made available to lifeguards through the integrated service, including emergency and after-hours support, a dedicated rescue helicopter, and yearround water craft services.

Mr Cahill said a number of key initiatives had been developed and rolled by lifeguards across Noosa and the Sunshine Coast in the past 12-18 months.

Amongst other things, this included a formal rebranding of all uniforms for professional lifeguards. While maintaining the iconic red and yellow colouring that has become synonymous

with the lifesaving movement, the new uniforms were also specifically designed to ensure that all lifeguards could easily be identified by beachgoers as professionals in surf safety and aquatic rescue.

A roving patrol service continued at Noosa North Shore, while all patrol hours across the Sunshine Coast Council were formally standardised to ensure uniformity and consistency from beach to beach.

Meanwhile, the introduction of the Seadoo Spark into SLSQ’s fleet provided lifeguards with a lighter, compact and more efficient water craft for patrol, search and rescue scenarios.

In addition, the launch of SLSQ’s Lifesaving Incident Management System and Operational Console (LIMSOC) now sees all lifeguard patrols equipped with smart device technology to log

rescues, incidents and coastal conditions in real-time into a central database monitored by SurfCom. The new technology provides lifeguards with unprecedented access to a live stream of data and information from across all patrolled beaches, allowing them to proactively patrol and respond to unfolding incidents more efficiently.

“Ultimately, our vision as an organisation is to save lives and eliminate drownings, and our lifeguard service on the Sunshine Coast and Noosa will continue to play a key role in helping us achieve that vision,” Mr Cahill said.

“We’re committed to working closely with both councils as we seek to implement positive, innovative and world-leading lifeguard services for the benefit of all.”

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Crocodile safety a focus for SLSQ

With that in mind, SLSQ has extensive procedures in place to manage and minimise the risks of crocodiles. In the event of a confirmed sighting, lifesavers or lifeguards will immediately clear the water and close a beach for at least four hours. The beach will only be reopened once the crocodile is no longer present or is no longer deemed a public risk.

Close consultation is undertaken with representatives from the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection during this time, recording as much information about the crocodile as possible, while also liaising with beachgoers to communicate these processes and keep them out of harm’s way.

Every year millions of people flock to Queensland’s coast, enjoying some of the world’s most scenic beaches in the process. However, while our state is home to stretches of unrivalled coastline, it is also home to many unique and potentially dangerous marine creatures, including crocodiles.

The issue of crocodile management and safety in the state’s far north has been particularly pertinent in recent months following a number of serious attacks, including the death of a spearfisherman at Palmer Point in March.

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Behind the scenes, SLSQ is proactively engaged in high-level strategy through its seat on the NQ Community Advisory Group for Crocodile Management. SLSQ has also signed MOUs with Cairns, Townsville, and Hinchinbrook Shire Councils, which cover a range of measures including education, training and beach signage.

Off the beach, SLSQ is heavily focused on increasing community awareness and education about crocodiles, with lifesavers and lifeguards delivering safety messaging through a range of key programs.

Like all marine creatures, crocodiles are a natural part of North Queensland’s (NQ) aquatic environment and, while attacks on humans are rare, they can and do occur. Importantly, SLSQ is continuing to take a hands-on and proactive approach to better protect and educate beachgoers with the aim of significantly reducing the risk of further attacks.

In addition to the obvious safety risks they pose, crocodiles also present an ongoing challenge when it comes to the recruitment and retention of surf lifesavers, nippers, and junior members. However, following the recent release of the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan, SLSQ will seek to implement revised training procedures for its members to boost their own personal safety, while arming them with the skills and awareness to increase protection for beachgoers. This will be supported by extensive marketing efforts to entice membership within the region.

Given the nature of their roles, lifesavers and lifeguards are often the first line of defence against crocodiles, particularly when it comes to monitoring beaches for activity and responding accordingly in the event of a sighting.

Importantly, through these collective efforts, SLSQ is continuing to deliver a safer coastline along NQ as the organisation works towards its overarching vision of ‘Zero preventable deaths in Queensland public waterways.’

Stair Challenge a big step towards saving lives

One of the tallest residential buildings in the world, Q1 and its SkyPoint Observation Deck are iconic sights along the Gold Coast skyline and recently played host to a major fundraising event in support of Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ).

The annual SkyPoint Sea to Sky Q1 Stair Challenge returned on Sunday 22 February, with SLSQ selected as the fundraiser’s official charity partner and beneficiary for 2017.

The event saw more than 750 people run, walk and crawl up 77 gruelling flights of stairs in the

It is the generous involvement of our partners that enables us to continue to keep our beaches safe.

Surf Life Saving Queensland would like to thank these organisations for their ongoing support.

name of charity, with all proceeds going straight back into funding vital beach safety initiatives and supporting the efforts of volunteer surf lifesavers across the coast.

“The Stair Challenge was a great opportunity for people to show their appreciation for the efforts of our patrolling men and women, while helping out a great cause at the same time. I’d like to sincerely thank SkyPoint for their wonderful show of support in selecting our organisation as the official charity partner of this tremendous fundraising event,” said SLSQ CEO John Brennan OAM.

PRINCIPAL

PREMIUM

GOVERNMENT

COMMUNITY

MEDIA

BUSINESS

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D Ensure there is no Danger for: > Yourself > Bystanders > Patient

R Check for Response by talk and touch.

S

A

B

C

D

If unresponsive, Send for help by calling 000.

Open Airway and ensure it is clear. If not, roll patient onto their side and clear airway.

Look, listen and feel for Breathing. If not breathing normally, commence CPR.

Start CPR. Give 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths with head tilt. If unable to perform rescue

Attach Defibrillator if available. Turn on and follow voice prompts.

INFANTS: DO NOT TILT HEAD

breaths, continue chest compressions. INFANTS: USE 2 FINGERS TO COMPRESS CHEST.

CONTINUE CPR UNTIL RESPONSE OR NORMAL BREATHING RETURNS.

ANYONE CAN SAVE A LIFE. LEARN FIRST AID. Australian Lifesaving Academy Queensland | P: 1300 766 257 | E: bookings@alaq.com.au