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Life Saving Victoria launches Summer Patrol Season, urging Victorians and visitors to follow water safety guidelines and prevent drowningsLife Saving Victoria has launched its 2026-27 summer patrol season, urging Victorians and visitors to follow water safety guidelines, swim between flagged areas, supervise children and avoid swimming alone to help prevent drownings. By news@gippsland - 12th November 2026 - Back to News Life Saving Victoria (LSV) is asking Victorians and visitors to take a number of simple steps to stay safe around water this summer. Volunteer lifesavers raised the red and yellow flags at Elwood Beach to mark the start of the 2026-27 summer patrol season this weekend. 
Life Saving Victoria has launched its 2026-27 summer patrol season, urging water safety as lifesavers and paid lifeguards prepare to patrol waterways statewide Stay water safeDuring the season, members of Victoria's 57 life saving clubs and paid lifeguards will patrol the state's waterways to protect the community. Members of the public can keep themselves and their loved ones safe by: - Swimming at patrolled locations between the red and yellow flags where possible
- Supervising children at all times
- Checking conditions before heading out and making sure activities are within their capabilities, skills and fitness levels
- Always swimming with a friend
- Keeping alcohol consumption to after water-related activities
Remember that public pools are among the safest places to swim, with lifeguards always on duty. They're a great place to cool off, swim, and have fun, particularly if you or your loved ones aren't confident in the water. Lifesavers urge water safetyVolunteer lifesavers and paid lifeguards performed 644 rescues and 1,543 first aid interventions during the last summer patrol season from November 2025 to April 2026. Despite their best efforts 52 people drowned in Victorian waterways in the 2025-26 financial year, 19 of whom lost their lives over summer. LSV CEO Cath Greaves implored members of the public to keep themselves and their loved ones safe over the summer period. "Our volunteer lifesavers and paid lifeguards give their time and energy to keep Victorians and visitors safe in our waterways. I encourage everyone to swim between the red and yellow flags where possible, keep children supervised at all times, never swim alone and check the conditions before heading into the water," Ms. Greaves said. Volunteer lifesavers mainly patrol on weekends and public holidays, while paid lifeguards will be on designated beaches during weekdays. For patrol times and locations, go to beachsafe.com.au or download the Beachsafe app. For further information contact the LSV Media team or 03 9676 6970 Pictures from Life Saving Victoria Facebook page.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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