Queensland has some of the best beaches in the world and we need all beachgoers to do their part to stay safe when enjoying them.
Queensland Beach Rules
Beachgoers are reminded to:
- Be a better example for your children and swim only at patrolled beaches, during patrol hours, and always between the red and yellow flags.
- Be the one to look out for your mates and don’t let them swim at night or under the influence.
- Be the beachgoer that talks to the lifesavers and follows their advice, especially if you are unfamiliar with the conditions.
Queensland Beach Flags
- Always swim between the RED and YELLOW flags
- A solid RED flag = no swimming
- A solid YELLOW flag = caution required. Potential hazards
- RED AND WHITE flag = evacuate the water
- BLACK AND WHITE flag = surfcraft riding area boundary
It is important that beachgoers make the effort to find the nearest flagged area when they are wanting to go for a swim. Look for the patrolled beaches with red and yellow flags.
Surf Life Saving Queensland’s General Manager – Lifesaving and Community Peta Lawlor said, “Please do not swim at night or after having a few drinks. Help us, help you by remembering that ‘she’ll be right, won’t save your life.’”
Surf Life Saving Queensland statistics
Did you know that males continue to be overrepresented in beach-related drownings with 77 percent of victims being male?
Last season, SLSQ lifesavers and lifeguards saved 3,101 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.
Surf Life Saving Queensland
Surf Life Saving Queensland helps to protect visitors to the beach with:
- lifesavers and lifeguards on the beach
- WaveRunner jetskis and Inflatable Rescue Boats are located at every patrolled beach
- ‘eyes in the sky’ through the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Services on the Gold and Sunshine Coast
- shark-spotting Little Ripper Lifesaver drones
- ‘Surf Crew’ community awareness teams also offer free education
To find out more about how to stay safe this summer, visit https://lifesaving.com.au/safety-info
In Australia, the emergency phone number is 000.
About Surf Life Saving Queensland
Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) employs over 550 people throughout Queensland. We are a vibrant organisation servicing over 33,000 members. Formally established in 1930, we are the governing body for surf lifesaving in Queensland, comprising of 57 affiliated surf lifesaving clubs in six regional branches. Our organisation also includes supporters’ clubs and a range of programs that involve more than 462,000 participants. We are directly affiliated with, and are a part of Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) and the International Life Saving Federation (ILF).
SLSQ is built on a fundamental principle: to save lives.
Our Organisation encompasses several diverse arms – lifesaving services, community awareness, education, membership services, surf sports, fundraising, aviation, lifeguards and commercial training.
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