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Life Saving Victoria urges water safety amid record drowning concerns as patrol season begins on 9 November 2024

Life Saving Victoria (LSV) launched the 2024-25 patrol season, urging water safety after record drownings last summer. Volunteer lifesavers and lifeguards will monitor beaches, aiming for a safer season ahead.

By news@gippsland - 7th November 2024 - Back to News

Life Saving Victoria (LSV) has called on the community to keep their loved ones, friends and themselves safe around water, following record drownings last summer. Volunteer lifesavers raised the first red and yellow flags of the 2024-25 summer patrol season, signalling the mobilisation of Victoria's 57 lifesaving clubs to keep our community safe in the water.

At the 'Flags Up' ceremony, lifesavers and leaders urged water safety, following 849 rescues, 1,321 first-aid cases, and 26 coastal drownings - a 37% increase from last year

Patrol season begins

This year's "Flags Up" ceremony saw volunteer lifesavers, community and political leaders and key LSV personnel come together to plead with visitors to Victoria's waterways to be prepared and stay safe in, on and around water this patrol season. It also saw the arrival of the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter, which will watch over beachgoers from the skies, and many young Victorians taking part in LSV's Lifesaving Education Programs, which run across the state to teach vital water safety skills.

The season begins with hopes of a safer year ahead after Victoria had the highest number of summer drownings since reliable records began, with 27 people losing their lives over the 2023-24 summer period alone. Volunteer lifesavers and paid lifeguards saved more lives than ever before last season, performing a record 849 rescues, 1,321 first aids and 455,820 preventative actions.

Summer water safety

LSV CEO Cath Greaves urged the Victorian community to stay safe over the summer period. "Our volunteer lifesavers and paid lifeguards put in an immense effort to keep Victorians and visitors safe in our waterways. I implore everyone to ensure the safety of themselves and their loved ones when visiting a beach, pool, river, lake or dam this summer."

"Always swim between the red and yellow flags, keep children supervised at all times, never swim alone and remember to check the conditions before heading into the water," Ms. Greaves said.

Patrols begin Saturday, November 9, and run to the end of April. Volunteer lifesavers mainly patrol on weekends and public holidays, while paid lifeguards will be on designated beaches during weekdays. For further information contact the LSV Media team via media@lsv.com.au or 03 9676 6970

Pictures from Life Saving Victoria Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com