Beyond Patrol Issue 9 2015

SURF LIFE SAVING QUEENSLAND

ISSUE 9 | 2015

SLSQ releases 2015 Coast Safe Report Queensland lifesavers recognised on national stage SLSQ and UQ sign groundbreaking partnership

Welcome

O

n behalf of Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) I wish to welcome you to the latest edition of our stakeholder magazine, Beyond Patrol.

If you have visited one of our state’s beautiful beaches in the past few months, you might have noticed an increase in the number of patrolled locations. On Saturday, 19 September more than 8,000 of our volunteer members returned to the beach and raised the red and yellow flags, signaling the start of SLSQ’s 2015/16 patrol season.

Over the next eight months, these highly-skilled men and women will collectively spend more than 350,000 hours patrolling and watching over Queensland’s coastline, protecting tens of millions of beachgoers in the process.

The importance of their role was made no more evident than across one weekend in October, when unseasonably rough and unpredictable coastal conditions across the state caught many swimmers offguard and out of their depth.

In just 48 hours surf lifesavers across south east Queensland alone responded to 34 major incidents, combining to directly save some 39 lives. This included the rescue of four swimmers caught in difficult conditions at Dicky Beach on the Sunshine Coast, and a mass rescue of five exhausted beachgoers who had been caught in a powerful rip at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. In addition to these genuinely lifesaving actions, volunteers also tended to a number of injured beachgoers including numerous dislocated shoulders, a fractured wrist and a suspected spinal injury.

Our ‘guardians of the surf’ are lifesavers by name and nature. They are highly-trained, highly-skilled and there are, quite literally, thousands of men, women and children alive today thanks only to the actions of our volunteer members and professional staff.

Their reputations were further enhanced recently at Surf Life Saving Australia’s Awards of Excellence, with a number of volunteers receiving acknowledgement on the national stage. Congratulations to Warick Redwood (Volunteer of the Year), Liz Pluimers (Athlete of the Year) and Mermaid Beach (Australian Club of the Year) for their well-deserved awards. It was also pleasing to see SLSQ deputy president Mark Fife awarded Life Membership of SLSA, and inducted into the movement’s Hall of Fame.

With the peak summer months now upon us, we remain committed to boosting services at all levels to ensure that Queenslanders remember their trip to the beach this year for all the right reasons.

Yours in lifesaving,

John Brennan OAM CEO, 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 West

02

Surf Life Saving Queensland

Queenslanders dig deep for Surf Safe Appeal

Last year alone, Queensland’s red and yellow ‘army’ of volunteer surf lifesavers combined to save more than 2,200 lives. However, in a reversal of roles, it was them asking for a helping hand, offering a ‘free lifetime rescue’ in exchange for a donation across Surf Life Saving Queensland’s (SLSQ) 2015 Surf Safe Appeal.

From 31 August to 13 September, thousands of volunteer surf lifesavers across the state took to the street, doorknocking and rattling their collection tins to raise vital and much-needed funds to continue patrolling beaches and protecting Queenslanders.

Now in its 12th year, the Surf Safe Appeal is one of SLSQ’s largest fundraising initiatives, with all money raised going straight back into funding lifesaving patrols and educational programs.

“Whether it was one dollar or one hundred dollars, I’d like to sincerely thank everyone who made a donation to this year’s Surf Safe Appeal. The continued community support of our organisation has been overwhelming to say the least, and every cent raised throughout the Appeal will be reinvested back into vital surf safety initiatives,” he said.

Surf Life Saving Queensland would like to thank and acknowledge the following partners for their valued support of the 2015 Surf Safe Appeal.

Last year Queensland’s surf lifesavers volunteered 352,805 hours to patrol beaches and protect swimmers. During this time they performed 126,369 preventative actions, 6,647 first aid treatments and, most importantly, saved 2,213 lives in the process.

Away from the red and yellow flags, SLSQ’s surf lifesavers are just as active, educating 601,693 people last year about beach safety through a variety of community awareness programs.

From high-level training to purchasing and maintaining vital equipment, keeping lifesaving services on the beach comes at a significant expense. As a not-for-profit organisation, SLSQ relies heavily on the continued support of corporate partners and the community to ensure that it has the resources it needs to save lives on our state’s beaches.

A total of $355,433.80 was raised across the two week Appeal through a combination of public donations and corporate support, and SLSQ chief executive officer John Brennan OAM said the money would go a long way to saving lives.

“Our beautiful coastlines and waterways are free entertainment, but the costs to keep every person safe while enjoying our beaches, I’m afraid, are not,” he said.

“Surf lifesavers are such a natural part of the beach environment that it can sometimes be easy to take their presence for granted. But, the stark reality is, we are a charity organisation which relies heavily on the generosity and spirit of the communities in which we operate to ensure we’re able to watch over and protect Queensland beachgoers,” he said.

DONATE TODAY TO RECEIVE YOUR

FREE LIFETIME RESCUE

Beyond Patrol Issue 9

03

SLSQ and UQ sign lifesaving partnership

Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) and The University of Queensland (UQ) have joined forces in a bid to educate beachgoers and save lives along Queensland’s coastline.

The two organisations converged at UQ’s St Lucia Campus on Thursday, 15 October 2015 to announce a formal partnership covering a raft of areas, including surf safety education and awareness, collaborative research and best practices in surf lifesaving.

In announcing the partnership, UQ ViceChancellor and President Professor Peter Høj said it was the start to a new relationship, based on mutual strengths and areas of interest.

“One of the great attractions about living, visiting and studying in Queensland is having vast coastlines of magnificent beaches. However, we know that as beautiful as these elements are, they can also be dangerous places,” he said.

“This partnership will allow us to apply UQ’s top quality research and translate this knowledge into practices that will help beachgoers stay safe and better understand their environment.

“UQ and SLSQ share many values, and I look forward to building a strong partnership that benefits both organisations,” he said.

Moving forward, UQ’s partnership will provide vital support to SLSQ’s award-winning On The Same Wave program, which seeks to educate international tourists, migrants, refugees and other people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds about surf and water safety. Last year alone the program educated, and directly engaged with, more than 157,000 potential beachgoers, providing them with crucial safety information in their primary language.

04

Surf Life Saving Queensland

In addition, UQ will support SLSQ’s School Surf League, a regional sporting program aimed at encouraging healthy lifestyles and increasing both participation and competition in lifesaving activities across the state. The league will culminate in the first championship event of its kind on the Gold Coast in early 2016, with secondary schools from across the state lining up to compete for the inaugural UQ Cup. SLSQ chief executive officer John Brennan OAM thanked UQ for its support, saying the fledgling partnership would open up significant opportunities for both organisations moving forward.

“As the state’s peak authority on beach safety and aquatic rescue, we’re really excited and proud to be partnering with a globally respected education industry leader in UQ,” he said.

“Everything that we do, from the boardroom to the beach, is focused on saving lives and educating Queensland swimmers, and it’s wonderful to see UQ embracing those values.

“Moving forward, this partnership will provide us with some key opportunities to not only build upon existing programs but also implement new initiatives across the state in a bid to offer even greater awareness and protection to Queensland beachgoers,” he said.

With more than 30,000 members, SLSQ is one of the largest volunteer-based community service organisations in Australia.

It is an area of particular interest to the university, with the Queensland higher education sector welcoming more than 48,000 international students last year, of which more than 11,000 chose to study at UQ.

Last year alone, SLSQ’s volunteer surf lifesavers across the state spent more than 350,000 hours on patrol along Queensland’s coastline, combining with professional lifeguards to perform 648,831 preventative actions, 19,105 first aid treatments and directly save 3,648 lives through in-water rescues.

The partnership will also see UQ become the naming rights sponsor of SLSQ’s Leadership Excellence Program, a key initiative which helps harness and develop the skills of young and emerging leaders within the surf lifesaving movement each year.

Mr Brennan said the opportunity to collaborate with UQ on shared research and development projects was also a particularly exciting prospect for all involved, and one which would deliver significant and long-term benefits to both organisations.

SLSQ CEO John Brennan OAM and UQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Høj.

Photo courtesy of UQ.

“As an organisation, we have more than a century of lifesaving experience to our name, but we’re constantly looking for ways to improve our service delivery which, in turn, will ultimately help achieve our vision of ‘zero preventable deaths in Queensland public waters’,” he said.

“Importantly, this partnership provides a great opportunity for SLSQ to work closely with UQ’s world-class team of experts to facilitate ongoing research and development programs, with the aim of expanding our knowledge base, improving best practices, refining surf rescue techniques, and exploring new avenues to increase protection for Queensland beachgoers.

when it comes to international and domestic visitors, the opportunities in this space are endless.

“Drones have been a particular area of interest in recent years and it’s a subject that we’ll no doubt explore down the track as we look at ways to increase our reach along the coastline; however, there are also avenues to explore recruitment and retention strategies, trends in modern day volunteerism, and how we can best communicate with our widespread and diverse membership.

UQ and SLSQ share many values, and I look forward to building a strong partnership that benefits both organisations.

–P eter Høj UQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor

Proud Premium Partner:

“Most importantly, the people who stand to benefit the most are the tens of millions of men, women and children who visit one of Queensland’s beautiful beaches each and every year,” he said.

“From supporting the development of breakthrough advancements in coastal safety, surveillance and rescue techniques, to improving and building on our communication strategies

Beyond Patrol Issue 9

05

Queenslanders shine on the national stage

all levels of the movement. The 56-year-old has previously been recognised as the Australian Surf Lifesaver of the Year in 1997, and the Australian Volunteer of the Year in 2007, making him the first person in surf lifesaving history to be awarded all four of SLSA’s top honours.

In addition to his national accolades, Mark is also a Life Member of Surf Life Saving Queensland, Broadbeach Surf Life Saving Club, and has won a raft of awards at a state, branch and club level, making him one of the most decorated volunteers in the movement.

Liz Pluimers

Mark Fife OAM

In making the presentation to Mark, SLSA President Graham Ford paid tribute to the longtime volunteer, recognising him for his extensive involvement and contribution to the surf lifesaving movement in Queensland and across Australia.

“Mark Fife has been actively involved as a volunteer for over 34 years and he epitomises all that is good about surf lifesaving,” he said.

It was also a night of celebration for Mermaid Beach AEME, after it was named the DHL Australian Surf Life Saving Club of the Year.

In making their decision, national judges publicly applauded the club’s long-term plan for strategic sustainability and growth, in addition to the positive connection it had actively developed with the local community.

Warick Redwood

Queensland surf lifesavers have continued to solidify their reputation as some of the nation’s best, with a number of local volunteers recognised at Surf Life Saving Australia’s Awards of Excellence in Sydney on Saturday, 24 October 2015.

The national awards are designed to recognise and celebrate excellence in surf lifesaving, and the special contributions made by volunteer members and professional staff throughout the preceding season.

SLSQ deputy president Mark Fife OAM made history on the evening, becoming the first person in more than a century of surf lifesaving to win the ‘full set’ of national awards.

The veteran lifesaver was awarded Life Membership of Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) and inducted into the national Hall of Fame, following decades of extensive involvement across

06

Surf Life Saving Queensland

Mermaid Beach, which has won the reciprocal award at a state level for the past two years, has continued to achieve strong membership growth across recent seasons and now boasts more than 850 members, underpinned by a strong and active base of Nippers and junior surf lifesavers.

In fact, since 2011 the club has recorded an impressive 23 per cent growth in overall membership, with these volunteers combining to perform 1,088 preventative actions and saving the lives of 24 swimmers in the past 12 months alone.

There was further joy for Queensland when Sunshine Beach SLSC member Warick Redwood was recognised for his dedication and

commitment, taking out the highly prestigious DHL Volunteer of the Year award.

Since joining Sunshine Beach in 1992, Warick has amassed an incredible 950 volunteer hours on patrol. In addition to his on-beach efforts, he has been a leader in introducing innovative programs that have resulted in a boost in youth membership by 60 per cent. In addition, he has been a leader in trialling patrolling members at the club, and has coordinated multiple education and training courses to establish the highest number of patrolling members in the club’s history.

Queensland was also recognised for its sporting prowess, with North Burleigh’s Liz Pluimers named the Australian Surf Sport Athlete of the Year.

The award capped off a stellar, and historymaking, season for Pluimers, which saw the 29-year-old enhance her burgeoning reputation as one of the sport’s greatest with resounding wins in the Coolangatta Gold, the Nutri-Grain IronWoman Series, and the Australian Ironwoman Championship. It marked the first time in the sport’s history that any athlete, male or female, had successfully managed to win the ‘triple crown’ of surf lifesaving within the same season.

actions of these gentlemen continue to serve as an inspiration to all members, both young and old, across the entire surf lifesaving community.

“It’s also particularly pleasing to see Mermaid Beach recognised as Australia’s best surf club. The club itself has put in a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes, and that’s been reflected by its recent growth and success.

The surf lifesaving movement is made up of so many wonderful men, women and children who perform incredible and inspiring feats each and every day of the year.

– John Brennan OAM CEO, SLSQ

“And, of course, Liz’s results speak for themselves and she continues to be a terrific ambassador for surf sports and surf lifesaving as a whole,” he said.

The evening also saw Emma Jackson (Kurrawa) and Desleigh Jones (Dicky Beach), along with 13 other lifesavers from across the country, recognised with meritorious awards for outstanding rescues performed throughout the season.

SLSQ chief executive officer John Brennan OAM paid tribute to all of Queensland’s winners, saying it was a great honour to be recognised with a national award.

“The surf lifesaving movement is made up of so many wonderful men, women and children who perform incredible and inspiring feats each and every day of the year,” he said.

“To be honoured by your fellow surf lifesavers with an award on the national stage is a wonderful achievement in itself, and something that Mark, Warick, Liz and the members of Mermaid Beach should be extremely proud of.

“Mark and Warick are wonderful contributors to our organisation at all levels, and these awards are just a small testament to their unwavering commitment, passion, dedication and courage over a number of years and even decades. The

L-R: Phil Chipman (President) and Pete Degnian (Club Captain) of Mermaid Beach SLSC. Photos courtesy of Surf Life Saving Australia.

Beyond Patrol Issue 9

07

08

Surf Life Saving Queensland

Coast Safe Report highlights state’s dangerous beaches Surf Life Saving Queensland has released its 2015 Coast Safe Report, providing a detailed snapshot into coastal drowning deaths, major incidents and key beach safety initiatives along Queensland’s coastline throughout the past 12 months.

The report reveals there were ten beach-related coastal drowning deaths in the 12 month period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015, representing an increase from seven during the previous year.

Tragically, 80 per cent of drownings occurred less than one kilometre from a patrol service.

In terms of locations, a review of coastal drowning deaths throughout the 2014/15 season reveals that North Queensland and the Sunshine Coast were the most common regions, with each recording 30 per cent of fatalities, followed by the Gold Coast with 20 per cent.

Beyond Patrol Issue #

09

Importantly, SLSQ remains committed at all levels to increasing beach safety and offering greater protection for beachgoers along Queensland’s coastline.

Green Island in North Queensland and Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast were the most common individual locations for coastal drowning deaths last season, with the popular tourist destinations each recording two fatalities.

By comparison, across the past ten years, there were 78 beach-related coastal drowning deaths in Queensland, with the Gold Coast accounting for 34 of these (43.5%) and the Sunshine Coast, including Noosa, recording 18 (23%).

Importantly, SLSQ remains committed at all levels to increasing beach safety and offering greater protection for beachgoers along Queensland’s coastline.

Last year alone, Queensland’s highly-skilled team of volunteer surf lifesavers and professional lifeguards performed some 648,831 preventative actions, treated 19,105 first aid patients and directly saved the lives of 3,648 beachgoers through in-water rescues.

Today, beach patrols are just one of the many services that SLSQ performs out in the community in a bid to achieve our overarching vision of ‘zero preventable deaths in Queensland public waters’.

In fact, our on-beach efforts are enhanced by an extensive support network encompassing aerial search and rescue, 24/7 emergency response groups, and state-of-the-art technology including coastal cameras and emergency response beacons.

While significant efforts and advancements in coastal safety have been made across the past ten years alone, more can and should be done to protect and educate beachgoers.

With the ongoing support of key stakeholders at all levels, including government and local councils, SLSQ will continue to explore all possible avenues to increase protection for beachgoers across the state and deliver a safer coastline for all to enjoy.

Following the release of its 2015 Coast Safe Report, SLSQ has identified seven coastal black-spots across the state, including two on the Sunshine Coast and two on the Gold Coast, and there will be a continued focus on improving public safety at these locations moving forward.

SLSQ coastal safety officer Chantel Fife said a close look at the statistics reinforced the need to swim at patrolled locations only, reminding beachgoers there had never been a drowning recorded between SLSQ’s red and yellow flags.

“Of the ten drownings on Queensland beaches last year, all of them occurred either at an unpatrolled location or outside of designated patrol times, which is disappointing and certainly something that we’re working hard to address,” she said.

“In fact, last year 80 per cent of all drownings were less than one kilometre from a patrol service, which is a tragic statistic in itself. It’s absolutely heartbreaking to think that if these people had only

SLSQ’s coastal black-spots: Gold Coast • Surfers Paradise Tower 33 to Tower 37 • Southport SLSC to Southport Seaway Sunshine Coast • Stumers Creek, Coolum to Sunshine Beach • Marcoola to Point Arkwright

10

Surf Life Saving Queensland

Wide Bay Capricorn • Elliott River, Elliott Heads Far North Queensland • Green Island Other • North Stradbroke Island, ocean side

spent a few extra minutes walking to the red and yellow flags, they might still be with us today.

“There has never been a drowning between Surf Life Saving Queensland’s red and yellow flags, and that’s definitely not a coincidence,” she said.

Interestingly, 100 per cent of coastal drowning victims in the past 12 month were male, with Mrs Fife suggesting they were generally more prone to taking risks and overestimating their ability in the surf.

While 40 per cent of all coastal drowning deaths occurred between the peak summer months of December, January and February, there were also drownings recorded in autumn, winter and spring, indicating that members of the public are continuing to swim year-round.

The majority of coastal drownings occurred in the afternoon, with 30 per cent of deaths occurring between 12:01pm to 2:00pm, and a further 40 per cent occurring between 2:01pm to 4:00pm.

There was a 50-50 split between weekends and weekdays, with Saturday the most common individual day, recording 40 per cent of coastal drowning deaths.

In 2014/15, 70 per cent of all drowning victims were Australian residents, representing an increase when compared to previous years. While not the case this year, historically, people from overseas and/or culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds have been over-represented in Queensland drowning figures.

In addition to drownings, SLSQ also tracks key incidents involving dangerous marine creatures, with statistics revealing that seven beachgoers were stung by Irukandji and box jellyfish last season, with 61 stings across the past eight years.

Meanwhile, there were 14 fatalities linked to sharks, crocodiles and box jellyfish in Queensland across the past 15 years.

Mrs Fife said SLSQ was committed to working in consultation with stakeholders at all levels, including local Councils and tourism agencies,

to reduce drownings and offer even greater protection to beachgoers. While significant advancements in coastal safety have been made across the past ten years, she said more work could be done to save lives.

There has never been a drowning between Surf Life Saving Queensland’s red and yellow flags, and that’s definitely not a coincidence.

“In the past ten years we’ve expanded services and introduced new initiatives, including dawn, helicopter and roving patrols in various regions across the state. In addition we educated more than half-a-million people about surf safety last year alone,” she said.

– Chantel Fife Coastal safety officer, SLSQ

“We’ve made it considerably easier for beachgoers to find, and swim at, patrolled locations and yet, unfortunately, people are still choosing to risk their lives by swimming outside of the flags.

“As an organisation we are more committed than ever to eliminating drowning deaths and saving lives, and we will continue to explore all avenues moving forward to educate, inform and protect the beach-going public,” she said.

The release of SLSQ’s Coast Safe Report coincided with the launch of the 2015/16 patrol season, which will see more than 8,000 volunteer surf lifesavers across the state return to the beach and patrol every weekend and public holiday until May 2016.

They will be supported by SLSQ’s professional lifeguards who will continue their regular midweek patrols.

Beyond Patrol Issue 9

11

Lifesavers hit the road to spread safety messages

Regional, rural and remote towns across Queensland became a sea of red and yellow in October, when Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) hit the dirt road as part of this year’s Breaka Beach to Bush program.

Each year the Breaka Beach to Bush initiative sees volunteer surf lifesavers and SLSQ’s development staff swap the sandy shores of the coastline for the sights and sounds associated with some of Queensland’s most unique inland communities, visiting regional schools along the way to educate children about surf and aquatic safety.

The program has been operating in Queensland since 1998, and remains one of the largest and most innovative community awareness initiatives of its kind in Australia, having directly reached and educated more than 275,000 children since its inception.

This year saw SLSQ coordinate and roll out five simultaneous tours across the state, with some 15,000 students from more than 65 primary schools provided with crucial safety information ahead of the peak summer months. This saw communities as far and wide as Atherton, Longreach, Emerald, Gracemere and St George all welcome the unique sight of surf lifesavers in their red and yellow patrol uniforms.

The program sees surf lifesavers run primary school students through an engaging and interactive session with a focus on swimming between the red and yellow flags, following the surf safety signs, and looking out for friends and family members while enjoying a swim. Importantly, it also seeks to educate young children about how to raise the alarm and attract the attention of surf lifesavers or lifeguards if they happen to find themselves in trouble while swimming at the beach.

While primarily focused on educating young children about beach safety, the skills and awareness taught via the program are deliberately designed to be transferable to all types, and bodies, of water. With that in mind, children are taught about surf conditions and how to stay safe at the beach, but they also learn about how to protect themselves and others when swimming in rivers, dams, creeks and pools.

SLSQ community awareness manager Helen Hallett stressed the importance of educational initiatives such as Breaka Beach to Bush, saying that people who lived more than 50 kilometres

12

Surf Life Saving Queensland

from the beach had previously been identified as a ‘high risk’ group when it came to drownings and beach-related incidents.

“For many Queenslanders, and particularly those who have grown up close to the coastline, it can often be easy to take beach safety and awareness for granted. However it’s important to remember there are many people in regional and rural Queensland who might only go to the beach once every couple of years, if that, and there are also plenty who have never actually seen the ocean before,” she said.

“These are people who won’t be familiar with local surf conditions, and who almost certainly won’t appreciate or fully understand the potential dangers associated with swimming at the beach.

Even communicating some of the basic principles of beach safety, such as ‘swimming between the flags’, could help save a life in the long run.”

SLSQ’s overarching vision as an organisation is to achieve ‘zero preventable deaths in Queensland public waters’ and community education and awareness initiatives such as Breaka Beach to Bush will continue to play a key role moving forward.

“It’s no secret that Australians love the water and if it’s not the beach, then it’s a backyard pool or the local river or dam. With that in mind, it’s really important that every single Queenslander, regardless of where they live, is equipped with some of the basic skills and knowledge to protect themselves and others while in the water this summer,” Mrs Hallett said.

“The Breaka Beach to Bush program provides surf lifesavers with a crucial opportunity to engage with schoolchildren in all corners of the state, educate them on the potential dangers of the surf and, most importantly, ensure they have a safe and enjoyable experience the next time they visit one of Queensland’s beautiful beaches.

“It’s a really fun program for all involved but there’s also a serious side to it and, at the end of the day, we want to leave these kids with some skills that they’ll hopefully be able to take with them for the rest of their lives,” she said.

Mooloolaba’s Michelle Jacobson visited the Darling Downs region as part of this year’s tour, and said one of the flow-on benefits of the program was that it gave young students an opportunity to build an awareness of, and relationship with, surf lifesavers.

“In addition to the safety information we provide, the program also helps to personalise the red and yellow uniform, showing kids who lifesavers are and giving them a bit of an idea about what we do on the beach to help protect swimmers,” she said.

into the community. Hopefully, it also means the next time these kids are at the beach, they’ll feel comfortable approaching the lifesavers on duty for some advice and safety information before entering the water,” she said.

Proud Program Supporter:

SLSQ’s overarching vision as an organisation is to achieve ‘zero preventable deaths in Queensland public waters’ and community education and awareness initiatives such as Breaka Beach to Bush will continue to play a key role moving forward.

“The aim is to help build that positive relationship and get the message of proper water safety out

Beyond Patrol Issue 9

13

Westpac Helicopter flying high after charity ball

service, operating 365 days a year and providing crucial support to surf lifesavers, lifeguards and other emergency service agencies.

With a team of highly trained men and women, encompassing experienced pilots, professional staff and volunteer surf lifesavers, the service exists for one reason and one reason only: to save lives.

The inaugural Heli Ball was organised by SLSQ in a bid to raise much-needed funds to support the aerial service, which last year alone, performed 200 preventative actions across 403 surf patrols, directly saved the lives of 15 people, and provided crucial support to some 25 other rescue missions.

WLRHS chief pilot Paul Gibson said the evening provided a wonderful opportunity for the local community to show their support of the service, its staff and volunteer crewmembers.

MC Josh Holt from Network Ten and helicopter crewmembers. Photo courtesy of Harvpix.

Pilots and crews of Queensland’s Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service (WLRHS) suited up in a different kind of attire when they made a special appearance at the inaugural charity Heli Ball on Saturday, 31 October at Jupiters Hotel and Casino on the Gold Coast.

From rising floodwaters to raging seas, SLSQ’s two rescue helicopters have saved countless lives since the service first commenced operations almost four decades ago, often providing the last line of hope for exhausted swimmers struggling to stay afloat.

One of the oldest community-based helicopter rescue services in the world, the WLRHS performs regular patrols along south east Queensland’s coastline, carrying out a variety of tasks including beach surveillance, shark warnings, preventative actions, and search and rescue missions both on and off the beach. These days, it is a full-time

14

Surf Life Saving Queensland

“The red and yellow Westpac helicopter is an iconic sight along south east Queensland’s coastline, performing regular proactive patrols and assisting countless people in their hours of need. We’re not the biggest helicopter rescue service in the world, but we’re striving to be one of the best,” he said.

“Of the 8,000 patrolling surf lifesavers that we have across the state, only 28 are helicopter rescue crewmembers. They are highly-skilled, highly-trained and, quite literally, some of the best of the best. Time and time again over the past 40 years, their quick response and actions have meant the difference between life and death for swimmers below.

“On behalf of the entire service I’d like to thank everyone who attended and supported the evening - your contributions are greatly appreciated, and will help ensure that our rescue helicopters are flying high for many years to come,” he said.

SLSQ would like to thank Westpac for its vital and ongoing support of the WLRHS in Queensland, and acknowledge the contributions of the numerous organisations who provided auction items .

Airtrain and SLSQ seek to stop visitor drownings

SLSQ and Brisbane Airtrain have teamed up to keep holidaymakers and international visitors safe at the state’s beautiful, but sometimes dangerous, beaches.

promote safety messages. This will provide a vital opportunity for SLSQ to directly engage with Airtrain’s ridership of nearly two million passenger trips a year.

In the past ten years there have been 78 drownings on Queensland beaches; 38 of these were international tourists or visitors.

The collaboration will also include a donation box at Airtrain’s domestic platform, with funds raised put towards keeping volunteer lifesavers active on beaches.

For the first time since its inception in 2001, Airtrain will provide space on the digital monitors of its platform and ticketing area for SLSQ to

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.

Proud Surf Safe Appeal Supporter:

PRINCIPAL

PREMIUM

GOVERNMENT

COMMUNITY

MEDIA

BUSINESS

Beyond Patrol Issue 9

15

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.

For drowning: Tilt head back and give 2 rescue breaths before starting CPR. INFANTS: DO NOT TILT HEAD

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

CONTINUE CPR UNTIL RESPONSE OR NORMAL. IF RESPONSE OR NOMAL BREATHING RETURN, TURN PATIENT.

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