South Australian beach patrols and Surf Life Saving SA’s Emergency Operations Group are preparing  for the ‘perfect storm’ of risks ahead of 40 degree temperatures and Australia Day, issuing a timely reminder to all beachgoers to swim at patrolled beaches and to keep safety top of mind. 

Local surf lifesavers will be on high alert with on top of soaring temperatures expected across the state, recent statistics showing that fatal drowning deaths are 2.4 times more likely to occur on public holidays like Australia Day.  

New research has shown that young men are particularly at risk of drowning on a public holiday, with SLSSA President, John Baker, warning in particular about the dangers of alcohol.  

“We know on public holidays people like to be in and around water with family and friends, and that these celebrations often include alcohol. But the simple fact is alcohol does not mix well when you’re swimming, boating or fishing,” says Baker.  

There have been 3 confirmed or suspected drownings in coastal waters in South Australia since July 1st last year, with  all occurring at un patrolled locations. 

“We know that young men are 1.8 times more likely to drown on public holidays and in too many cases, while under the influence of alcohol.  

“The average blood alcohol level for young men who have drowned was more than three times the legal driving limit.  If you wouldn’t get behind the wheel of a car, you absolutely shouldn’t go into the water.  

“So for everyone, but particularly men, the message this Australia Day weekend is simple - don’t mix alcohol with  swimming and please swim at a patrolled beach,” added Baker.  

With so many South Australians’ staying home these holidays and exploring their own backyard, patrols have noticed increased beach visitation with Aldinga Beach particularly recording a surge in activity levels with approximately 200,000 visitors since the start of summer.  

These increased figures stressing the highlighting the South Australians are understanding the importance of finding a local patrolled beach.  

“The BeachSafe APP (beachsafe.org.au) identifies all the patrolled beaches in Australia and provides essential safety  information about these locations so all Australians can enjoy the coast safely this weekend, and for the rest of  summer,” he says.  

“Our volunteer surf lifesavers and lifeguards will be on hand to keep watch over our beaches. So swim between the  ed and yellow flags if visiting our beaches, and don’t forget your lifejacket while boating, on watercraft or rock fishing. 

More than 2,500 active volunteer surf lifesavers from 21 Surf Life Saving Clubs patrol beaches across the state on  weekends and public holidays from Saturday, October 10th, through to Easter Monday on April 5th 2021. This includes South Australian Young Citizen of the Year, Layan Saadeh.

Since arriving from Palestine 7 years ago as a 10-year-old, she has fully immersed herself into Australian culture whilst still nurturing and promoting her own Arabic culture back to Australians, giving hours of her time to her local  community and personifies everything that Surf Life Saving SA is about. 

In addition to being a Henley SLSC volunteer Surf Lifesaver, Age Group Leader, Life Saving Services Manager, and member of the HYIP program, she also takes board training sessions, teaches Vacswim and Surf Babies. 

Safety Messages  

Swim between the flags – Surf Lifesavers and lifeguards set up patrolled areas so they can best look after you, if you  are not swimming at these locations then the time to get to you could make a big difference and cost you your life. 

STOP, LOOK, PLAN - (Stop – pause and see where you are. Can you see a rip or other danger | Look – are there  other hazards, are there large waves or rocks, can I see if there is a patrolled area? | Plan – where am I going, is it  patrolled? Do I know how to recognise dangers? What will I do if something goes wrong?) 

Know your limits – No-one plans to get into trouble, but it happens too often. Know your limits and those of others  you are with. Too often, someone has gone to rescue someone else and it has cost them their life. Supervise children around water – children move quicker than we would like and a drowning event is often a quiet  one. Watch your children on, in and around water – not your phone! 

Don’t drink and swim - Almost a quarter of all coastal drowning deaths involved alcohol and/or drugs. You wouldn’t  drink and drive, so please don’t drink alcohol or take drugs and swim. 

Wear a lifejacket – If you are heading out boating, rock fishing or on watercraft – then please wear a lifejacket. Your  safety matters. 

Be sun smart - Slip, slop, slap, seek, slide. Slip on a shirt, slop on 30+ sunscreen, slap on a brimmed hat, seek  shade, slide on sunglasses. Remember to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours or after swimming. 

Aquatic Toys – be careful with new equipment, test it, make sure it is in good repair, check conditions before heading  out, supervise kids on flotation devices. Rafts and inner tube - Not for non-swimmers, may drift out on tides/winds.  Skimboards - Trickier than they seem, often lead to nasty injuries. Ocean craft such as SUP, Kyaks and Surf Skis  should always be used for the first time in calm conditions at a patrolled beach. 

South Australian Surf Life Saving Capability Snapshot  

• 1 Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service 

• 2 Jet Rescue Boats  

• 10 Rescue Water Craft (Jet Skis) 

• 9 Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (Drones) 

• 70 Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRBs) 

• 23 All Terrain Vehicle (ATVs) 

• 21 Patrolling Surf Life Saving Clubs and Services 

• 2,508 Active patrolling Lifesavers 

• 8,635 Volunteer members