Beyond Patrol Issue 18 2018

SURF LIFE SAVING QUEENSLAND

ISSUE 18 | 2018

SLSQ trials world-first technology Nippers notches 50 years in Queensland Spike in emergency taskings

Welcome

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

With the peak holiday months just around the corner, our beaches are getting busier by the day.

Since the beginning of September, SLSQ’s army of surf lifesavers and lifeguards have performed more than 300 rescues, and prevented countless other incidents from occurring through quick and early intervention.

Tragically, however, there have been a number of drownings recorded on Queensland beaches in recent months. Many of these have been at unpatrolled beaches, or outside of designated patrol times, highlighting the importance of putting safety first at all times when in and around the water.

Our vision as an organisation is ‘Zero preventable deaths in Queensland public waters’ and, as far as we’re concerned, even one drowning is one too many. While heartbreaking to see, these fatalities have only strengthened our resolve to further increase aquatic safety across Queensland and boost protection for all beachgoers.

With that in mind, this summer SLSQ will be rolling out a number of key services and initiatives at selected blackspots and high-risk beaches. This includes additional roving patrols, increased manpower, extended patrol hours, and innovative new technology in the form of Life-Fi and the Surf Speak smartphone app.

I encourage you to read ahead on page nine about this ground-breaking technology, which has been specifically designed to target and engage with international beachgoers in their primary languages.

Off the beach, SLSQ recently held its annual SOS Week fundraising appeal, with communities across Queensland encouraged to ‘Support Our Savers’ and recognise the vital work of volunteer lifesavers. The Queensland Government generously donated $50,000 to help kick-start the appeal, and this was followed by public donations and corporate support from a variety of partners including The Star, Transit Australia Group, JLT, and Brisbane Airport Corporation. I wish to personally thank our valued partners and members of the public who generously donated to this year’s appeal; your support will play a key role in equipping our volunteers with the resources they need to patrol Queensland beaches.

As we move forward into the peak summer months, I look forward to working alongside all of our key stakeholders as we look to increase aquatic safety and eliminate drowning deaths across the state.

John Brennan OAM Chief Executive Officer 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: Writer: Cameron Ward Designer: Chloe Koklas

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Surf Life Saving Queensland

Season launched at Parliamentary Friends

More than 180 guests were on hand to help launch the 2018/19 patrol season and celebrate 50 years of Nippers at the most recent Parliamentary Friends of Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) event on 17 September.

The evening provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress and importance of Nippers across the past half-century, while looking ahead to some of the key services being rolled out by surf lifesavers across Queensland this summer.

A raft of current and former Nippers were interviewed about their experiences coming through the program, including the reigning Breaka Under-14 Surf Lifesaver of the Year Matilda Beikoff-Smart, iron greats Shannon Eckstein and Courtney Hancock, Olympic champion Clint Robinson, and rugby director Brad Tallon.

Ms Beikoff-Smart, aged 14, spoke enthusiastically about her involvement with Nippers to date, saying the program continued to positively influence her life both on and off the beach.

Meanwhile, six-time world ironman champion Shannon Eckstein said the water safety and surf awareness taught through Nippers were skills that all Australian children should learn.

Guests were also treated to an original poem

by Rupert McCall to celebrate the outstanding bravery, dedication, contribution, and service of Queensland’s Nippers over the past 50 years.

In addition, SLSQ showcased some of its lifesaving capacity ahead of the summer months, with a demonstration of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (drone) technology.

Co-Chaired by Stephen Bennett MP (Member for Burnett), Brittany Lauga MP (Member for Keppel), and Fiona Simpson (Member for Maroochydore), the Parliamentary Friends of SLSQ is a bi-partisan group for all Members of Parliament to support, promote, and actively engage with the state’s peak authority on coastal and aquatic safety.

SLSQ chief executive officer John Brennan OAM thanked all those in attendance on the evening,

saying it was a great opportunity to showcase the organisation and its members.

“The surf lifesaving movement has a long and proud history in Queensland, and it was a wonderful opportunity to join our Parliamentary Friends and showcase some of the exciting initiatives and programs currently being rolled out across the state,” he said.

“This season marks the 50th anniversary of our Nippers program, and we’re extremely proud to acknowledge that milestone and reflect on everything that we’ve been able to achieve over the past half-century.

“It was great to be joined by some of our current and past Nippers on the evening, who spoke really positively and enthusiastically about their involvement in the program and everything they’ve gained on and off the beach through surf lifesaving.

“On behalf of the entire movement, I’d like to thank all of our Parliamentary Friends members for their continued support of surf lifesaving and our goal of reducing drowning deaths across Queensland.”

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Iconic Nippers program turns 50

Nippers has always been built on the philosophy of family, friends, and fun but it’s so much more than that as well.

– Ray Fien State Junior Activities Officer

Every year thousands of youngsters across Queensland flock to their local beach to have fun and learn vital water safety skills through Surf Life Saving’s iconic Nippers program.

In 2018/19 Nippers is officially celebrating its 50th anniversary in Queensland, with more than 280,000 participants coming through the program since its inception in the 1960s.

SLSQ state junior activities officer Ray Fien agreed, saying there was something for everyone in Nippers.

SLSQ membership development manager Jamie Findlay said the program had clearly stood the test of time when it came to equipping young Queenslanders with the knowledge to keep themselves and others safe in the water.

“There’s also a strong emphasis on encouraging leadership, teamwork, camaraderie, and building skills to make sure that we’re developing these youngsters to their full potential, whether it’s in or outside of lifesaving.”

“There’s obviously a large focus on having fun with your friends, promoting healthy lifestyles, and enjoying everything that’s wonderful about our beautiful coastline, but there’s also a serious safety side to it as well.”

The early years of Nippers are largely focused on introducing children to the surf and slowly building their confidence around the water in a safe environment. From there, they start learning some of the core elements of surf lifesaving including how to spot a rip, how to rescue someone in trouble, and how to perform CPR. Mr Findlay said the skills taught through Nippers could be applied both on and off the beach.

“A lot of participants go on to become fullyqualified surf lifesavers in their own right but even

Surf Life Saving Queensland

“We’ve seen plenty of examples where people have actually used the first aid or water safety skills they learnt with us as a child to rescue someone in trouble or resuscitate a loved one, and there’s no better testament to the value of Nippers than that.”

Initially launched to help boost membership figures across the state, Nippers has since developed into one of the most enduring and popular youth activities across Australia. Last year alone there were 10,797 registered Nippers in Queensland, up six per cent on the season before, and representing more than one-third of SLSQ’s total membership base.

“There aren’t many youth sports or programs in the world where you have the opportunity to learn lifelong and genuine lifesaving skills, and that’s what makes Nippers so unique and so important within Australia,” he said.

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if they don’t, we hope the lessons they learn as a Nipper will stay with them forever,” he said.

“Nippers has always been built on the philosophy of family, friends, and fun but it’s so much more than that as well,” he said.

Nippers: lifesaving and life changing Surf lifesaver Alyssa Bull is walking proof of where Nippers can take you, having used the skills and awareness learnt during her involvement in the movement to pursue an Olympic dream and a career within the emergency services.

The 23-year-old started off as a Nipper at Alexandra Headland more than 17 years ago, learning vital water safety as a youngster before gaining her Bronze Medallion and transitioning into beach patrols.

These days her passion for saving lives and giving back to the community extends far beyond the beach. In fact, she recently embarked on a new career as a professional firefighter and, earlier this year, finished Dux of her course at the Queensland Combined Emergency Services Academy.

Alyssa said her experience within surf lifesaving, starting at Nippers, had inspired and prepared her well for a career within the emergency services.

Alyssa Bull

“I’ve been involved in Nippers and lifesaving since I was five or six, and that’s played a massive part in the way that I want to help people and give back to the community,” she said.

Back in 2014 Alyssa was one of surf lifesaving’s most promising young athletes, and a regular competitor in the elite IronWoman Series since she first qualified as a 16-year-old.

“At Nippers, we started learning first aid and CPR way back when we were just little kids running around on the beach, and those skills still come out today in what I do for a job which is great.

Always a strong ski paddler, the opportunity to build on her skillset as a competitive kayaker proved too strong to resist and, less than two years later, she placed eighth at the 2016 Rio Olympics in the K2 500m event alongside fellow lifesaver Alyce Burnett.

“So many of the skills we learnt at Nippers help me now as a firefighter, even just being able to help people in trouble. I learnt how to use those lifesaving skills from such a young age and I just wanted to keep doing it and make it my career,” she said.

In addition to shaping her professional career, Alyssa’s involvement in Nippers and competitive surf lifesaving also put her on the path to representing Australia at the Olympic Games.

Mr Findlay said Alyssa’s story highlighted the value and benefits of the Nippers program.

“The skills you learn at Nippers can be applied and transferred to so many aspects of life, both on and off the beach. Alyssa’s just one of many Nippers over the past 50 years and I’m sure each one has their own individual story about how and where it has benefited them.”

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Lifesavers clock-on for after hours rescues

New figures released by SLSQ have highlighted the increasing role the ‘red and yellow army’ continues to play when it comes to keeping people safe outside of the flags.

In 2017/18, SLSQ received 236 calls for emergency assistance, ranging from late-night swimmers in distress through to overturned boats, missing scuba divers, and injured bushwalkers.

More than 21.4 million people flocked to SLSQpatrolled beaches in 2017/18, with lifeguards and volunteer surf lifesavers combining to perform 2,865 rescues. This represents a notable increase from 20.7 million beachgoers, and 2,561 rescues, recorded across the season before.

It represents a significant spike of almost 40% when compared to the 169 emergency taskings logged by the organisation during 2016/17.

However, outside of its work between the flags, SLSQ has also seen a significant spike in the number of after-hours and emergency incidents attended by lifeguards and lifesavers through its network of Emergency Response Groups (ERGs).

SLSQ’s ERGs, which now operate in all key regions across the state, work closely with other agencies to provide a 24/7 call-out service along Queensland’s coastline and other aquatic environments.

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Surf Life Saving Queensland

SLSQ operations coordinator Jason Argent said it was an important community service, albeit one that often occurred away from the public eye.

“In the past few years our emergency response groups have developed into an important part of our service delivery, but it’s probably something that most people don’t even realise we do,” he said.

“We obviously focus a lot on keeping beachgoers safe between the red and yellow flags but, behind the scenes, our surf lifesavers and lifeguards also work closely with the Queensland Police Service and other agencies to boost public safety around the clock.

“We have a number of highly-trained emergency response groups on standby in all major regions across Queensland, and they can be activated on a 24/7 basis when needed.

lifesavers taking their skills from the beach and into urban centres to assist with search and rescue operations, evacuations, first aid treatments, and welfare checks in some of the worst hit regions,” he said.

“We’ve had some instances in the past where members of the public have jumped into the surf for a swim at night, got into trouble, and we’ve been able to task our assets and lifesavers to respond and prevent a potential mass drowning from occurring.

“More recently, our expertise and equipment was also used to assist local residents following significant flooding across the Gold Coast and South East Queensland in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Debbie.

“In the past 12 months alone we’ve also been called upon to help search for overdue fishing boats, assist with capsized vessels, look for missing hikers, rescue scuba divers, and plenty more,” he said.

“Patrolling beaches and keeping swimmers safe between the flags will always be our core focus, but our ERGs provide us with another important opportunity to protect Queensland and increase public safety right across the state.

Mr Argent said the organisation’s ERGs could also be deployed during natural disasters and other times of need.

“From an organisational perspective, we have thousands of highly-trained lifesavers from North Queensland down to the southern tip of the Gold Coast, so it makes sense that we’re able to put our skills and experience to use during those emergency situations and natural disasters.”

“Looking back to 2011, SLSQ was heavily involved in the Brisbane floods, with hundreds of our

Emergency response operations • Surf lifesavers on the Sunshine Coast responded to an emergency call for help around 6:30pm, following reports of up to eight children caught in a rip at an unpatrolled stretch of beach near Currimundi. SLSQ’s designated ERG arrived on-site and, in fading light, swept the area until all children were located and accounted for. Surf lifesavers identified one child who was showing signs of secondary drowning, and a possible spinal injury. He was treated and stabilised on-site before being transported to hospital.

• At approximately 9:00pm, SLSQ received a request for assistance from the Queensland Water Police after a father and his two young children had become stuck in mangroves while jet skiing on the Gold Coast. SLSQ tasked the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service to respond, with crews successfully winching the three patients to safety.

• SLSQ received a call for assistance from QPS at approximately 7:30pm, after two adults were stranded on Dr May’s Island near Elliott Heads. Local lifesavers were quickly dispatched, launching an IRB before transporting the pair safely back to the mainland.

• The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service was tasked to assist after police reports of two bushwalkers lost at Mount Cougal on the Gold Coast. Lifesaver 45 successfully located the pair of hikers before winching them to safety.

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Surf Life Saving Queensland

Key new initiatives launched for summer Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) is continuing to embrace new technology and initiatives in a bid to deliver safer beaches and reduce drowning deaths across the state.

More than 8,000 volunteer surf lifesavers and almost 400 of SLSQ’s professional lifeguards will again be out in force on Queensland beaches this summer, as the organisation prepares for one of the busiest holiday periods on record.

Extended patrol times, new services, increased roving patrols, and a concerted focus on after-hours emergency response are all on the agenda this summer, with SLSQ bracing for a significant influx of beachgoers over the coming months.

Importantly, two key new initiatives are also set to be rolled out along the state’s coastline this summer to significantly boost SLSQ’s front-line patrols and help save lives through increased education and engagement with all beachgoers.

This includes world-first technology, called Life-Fi, which will be trialled at a number of popular beaches in the coming months. The ground-breaking new initiative will provide beachgoers with free, unlimited wi-fi between the red and yellow flags, capable of pushing out real-time surf safety alerts and information in a variety of languages.

Read on for the full story.

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As an organisation we’re always looking to explore any new or innovative ways that can help us boost safety and protection on all beaches.

In addition, the inaugural Surf Speak app will also be rolled out across all Queensland beaches ahead of the peak holiday period, equipping surf lifesavers and lifeguards with another interactive tool to directly engage and converse with non-English speaking beachgoers in their primary language.

With thanks to funding from the Department of Innovation and Tourism Industry Development, Life-Fi will be trialled at a number of tourist hotspots this summer, with plans to expand the initiative to all patrolled beaches across Queensland in the coming years.

–P eta Lawlor Lifesaving Services Manager

SLSQ lifesaving services manager Peta Lawlor said the new technology would play a key role in saving lives and reducing incidents along Queensland’s coastline this summer.

Ms Lawlor said the new technology would play a key role in supporting SLSQ’s front-line services this summer and beyond.

“As an organisation we’re always looking to explore any new or innovative ways that can help us boost safety and protection on all beaches,” she said.

“We’ll obviously be looking to extend and expand upon a lot of our services over the summer months, and these new initiatives will support those efforts and ensure we’re in a better position to help save lives across Queensland communities.”

World-first technology trialled on Queensland beaches Innovative and world-first technology being trialled on Queensland beaches this summer is set to save lives by educating beachgoers, encouraging swimmers to stay between the flags, and breaking down the communication barriers between surf lifesavers and international tourists.

In the past 10 years there have been 75 drownings recorded on Queensland beaches and, of these, 31 victims (41%) were international tourists, recent migrants, or other people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Meanwhile, of the 5,000+ rescues performed by Queensland’s surf lifesavers and lifeguards since January 2017, almost 80% have occurred outside of the red and yellow flags.

In response, SLSQ has worked with Actify Live and Romeo to develop mobile wi-fi technology between the red and yellow flags, capable of pushing out real-time surf safety alerts in up to seven different languages.

Officially named Life-Fi, the technology will allow beachgoers to access free, unlimited wi-fi between the flags along with a live feed of multilingual information on surf conditions and other safety tips.

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Surf Life Saving Queensland

“The free wi-fi will only be available between the red and yellow flags so, first and foremost, we see Life-Fi as a great way to actively encourage all beachgoers to put safety first and swim only at those patrolled locations,” she said.

“But, on top of that, it also provides our surf lifesavers and lifeguards with a valuable platform to push out real-time alerts about conditions, closures, marine creatures, and any other relevant safety tips.”

In addition, the new technology has also been specifically developed to help SLSQ engage with, and educate, international beachgoers and other people from non-English speaking backgrounds.

Life-Fi automatically detects the language setting on a user’s mobile phone and, once a beachgoer connects between the flags, they receive culturallyspecific surf safety information in their primary language.

“Millions of people from all over the world fly into Queensland each year and visit one of our beautiful beaches; while that’s obviously great for tourism, it can certainly present a lot of challenges for our surf lifesavers and lifeguards on patrol,” Ms Lawlor said.

“We see a lot of tourists and other international beachgoers who don’t necessarily have a lot of experience in the water, they don’t know the local conditions, many don’t speak fluent English, and a lot of them don’t have a true appreciation of the dangers they could face while swimming in the surf.

“Communicating with people who don’t speak English has always been a challenge for our members, particularly at tourist hotspots like Surfers Paradise and Green Island which attract a lot of people from all corners of the world.

“Importantly, through Life-Fi, international tourists will be able to check the surf conditions, they can see what’s happening on the beach, they can find out if and when a beach closes, and plenty more.”

Surf Speak app a lifesaver for international tourists In addition to rolling out innovative Life-Fi technology this summer, SLSQ services will be significantly boosted following the introduction of an inaugural Surf Speak app into all patrols across the state.

The app builds upon the success of the Surf Speak booklet, first launched three years ago, and provides lifesavers and lifeguards with another vital platform to directly engage with international beachgoers.

The initial booklet was developed by The University of Queensland’s Mark Schroder, in consultation with SLSQ, and contained a variety of safety messages along with easy-to-understand diagrams in 15 different languages.

Ms Lawlor said the booklet had developed into a vital tool for surf lifesavers and lifeguards across the state, prompting the development of a more expansive app version.

“We’ve had really great feedback from our Surf Speak booklet over the past few years, from within

the surf lifesaving movement and also externally from members of the public,” she said.

“Amongst other things, we’ve used the booklet to educate international tourists about where to swim safely, how to treat bluebottle stings, and what the various flags mean.

“We’ve also used Surf Speak to help parents track down their missing children, transport patients to hospital, and treat injured beachgoers.”

After months of development and testing, the Surf Speak app has been rolled out and will be ready for use at all Queensland beaches this summer.

Importantly, the Surf Speak app features additional phrases and increased usability, ensuring that all patrolling members are able convey key safety information clearly, concisely, and confidently.

“The Surf Speak app will be another really important tool for our patrolling members across the peak summer months,” Ms Lawlor said.

“The app has been in the pipeline for a number of months and, importantly, we’ve been able to take our learnings from the Surf Speak booklet and then apply it to smart-device technology.

“I have no doubt that the Surf Speak app will not only make our jobs a lot easier on the beach but, more importantly, it will also play a key role when it comes to directly saving lives along Queensland’s coastline.”

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Drone safety a focus for Westpac Helicopter

SLSQ’s Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service (WLRHS) is continuing to play a leading role when it comes to educating drone operators about where and how to fly safely along Queensland’s coastline, following a number of close calls in recent years.

Since 1976 the WLRHS has patrolled Queensland beaches from above, performing more than 850 rescues and preventing countless tragedies through swift and decisive preventative actions.

Now the service is using its expertise, built over the past 40 years, to proactively increase safety across the industry and reduce the risk of a mid-air collision from occurring.

Drones or, more accurately, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) were identified by SLSQ’s helicopter service as a potential risk back in 2014. Since then, the organisation has invested a considerable amount of time and resources into proactively boosting safety and minimising the potential risks for pilots, crew, and members of the public.

WLRHS chief pilot Paul Gibson said the possibility of a collision between a helicopter and an RPAS was a genuine concern, with a number of near misses already recorded.

“RPAS, or drones, are obviously a lot more affordable these days compared to when they first came onto the market, and as a result we’re now seeing a significant spike in the number of people who own and fly them,” he said.

“Unfortunately they can and do create a hazard for us, particularly if the people flying them aren’t registered operators or don’t have a firm grasp on the rules and regulations put in place by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

“We often see RPAS along Queensland’s coastline and there have already been a couple of near misses with our helicopters.

“It’s really important for people to understand that any collision could have extremely serious

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Surf Life Saving Queensland

consequences – we’re talking anything from significant damage to the helicopter, right through to bringing the craft down and causing major injuries or fatalities,” he said.

The issue has again been brought to the foreground after a recent rescue operation was interrupted, and subsequently delayed, as a result of a nearby RPAS operating outside of CASA regulations.

The mission involved Lifesaver 45 being diverted from a training operation near South Stradbroke Island to assist an elderly gentleman whose boat had washed onto the rocks at the Gold Coast seaway.

While crews were able to successfully winch the patient to safety, the operation was delayed by a number of minutes as a recreational RPAS continued to hover over the site.

CASA regulations prohibit unaccredited RPAS operators from flying over populous areas, within 30 metres of people, and/or in a manner that creates a potential hazard to other aircraft.

However it’s not uncommon to see them being operated in a risky and unregulated manner along Queensland’s coastline.

Rather than maintaining an effective lookout for other aircraft in the area, the WLRHS has identified that many RPAS operators are more focused on the imagery being produced by their drone’s camera. This has been evident in the service’s safety reporting, with many RPAS landing after the helicopter has passed their location.

From June 2017 through to October 2018, the WLRHS encountered more than 100 RPAS while on patrol. Importantly, a large percentage of these were reported to the service in advance, allowing crews to take proactive and preventative measures to reduce the risk of a collision.

Alarmingly however, almost 30 RPAS were sighted within close proximity of the Westpac Helicopter with no prior warning or notification, and it’s this figure which concerns Mr Gibson the most.

“These sightings are only the number of RPAS we’ve physically spotted; there’s no telling how many others we haven’t seen,” he said.

“Our helicopters fly at relatively low heights along Queensland’s coastline, generally somewhere around 150 to 200 feet. That’s so we can monitor the surf conditions below, keep a close eye on swimmers, and be in a position to respond immediately to any unfolding emergencies.

“We’ve seen a number of RPAS hovering over beaches within that height range and, while collisions are an obvious safety issue, the flow-on distractions are also a concern.

“The reality is our crews can’t be looking in two places at once; if they’re scanning the air for a drone it takes their eyes off the beaches and away from swimmers below. Our primary purpose is to reduce drownings, and it’s unfortunate these distractions could start to dilute our efforts to protect beachgoers,” he said.

The WLRHS has significantly increased its efforts in recent years to engage with industry bodies, and work with CASA and the broader RPAS community to minimise the risk of a collision.

“It’s been a big focus area for us, both internally and externally. We’ve directly engaged with RPAS operators, visited retail stores and hobby shops that sell drones, engaged with suppliers, developed communications material and safety posters, and used social media to push out information online, all focused on educating people about where and how to fly safely.

We want to be as proactive as possible when it comes to working with the RPAS community and individual operators to ensure that everyone is flying appropriately.

–P aul Gibson Chief Pilot

“We want to be as proactive as possible when it comes to working with the RPAS community and individual operators to ensure that everyone is flying appropriately.

“There’s a great app that’s been released by CASA called ‘Can I fly there?’ which helps RPAS owners find out where they can and can’t fly, and it’s something we strongly encourage everyone to download and use.”

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Innovative fundraising a boost for lifesavers

Two unique fundraising initiatives launched by SLSQ in recent months are playing a key role when it comes to bosting surf lifesaving services and protecting all beachgoers across the state.

SLSQ recently announced an innovative new partnership with Envirobank to provide mobile collection points and community donation sites for the Container Refund Scheme, which launched in Queensland on November 1.

Importantly, the partnership provides communities across the state with a unique and Queenslandfirst opportunity to protect the environment while supporting their local surf life saving clubs at the same time.

Mr Brennan said it can cost upwards of $60,000 to set up a single lifesaving patrol, factoring in all required gear and equipment including rescue boards, rescue tubes, oxygen, first aid kits, defibrillators and more.

“With 58 clubs across the state, the physical cost of keeping beachgoers safe begins to add up very quickly,” Mr Brennan said.

“It can be easy to forget that SLSQ is a charity organisation, which is why fundraising initiatives such as these are so important to our organisation and its members.”

“As a not-for-profit organisation, SLSQ relies heavily on public support and donations to ensure that our volunteer members have the resources and capacity to help watch over and protect Queensland beaches,” he said.

In addition to raising vital funds for the surf lifesaving movement, Nineteen 09 will also be used to educate beachgoers, with each can pushing the ‘Don’t Drink and Swim’ safety message right into the hands of Queenslanders.

Meanwhile, off the beach, SLSQ has recently teamed up with Newstead Brewing Co. to launch a new Coastal Ale beer, Nineteen 09, with all proceeds going back into supporting volunteer surf lifesavers.

The craft beer pays tribute to the first recorded rescue in Queensland, on 21 February 1909, when a group of surf lifesavers pulled four women and a man from a treacherous rip at Greenmount Beach on the Gold Coast.

“The Nineteen 09 beer will be available all over Queensland, not just on the coast, with a percentage of each can sold going straight back

Surf Life Saving Queensland

“This is an opportunity for all Queenslanders to raise a glass and raise some funds for our lifesaving heroes at the same time.”

SLSQ chief executive officer John Brennan OAM said the initiative provided all surf clubs with a wonderful opportunity to raise significant funds to support their on-beach efforts.

“This partnership means drink containers can now be dropped off at our participating surf clubs, with all funds raised being reinvested back into supporting our lifesaving services and protecting the millions of people who visit Queensland beaches each and every year.”

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into supporting beach safety services and our volunteer lifesavers,” Mr Brennan said.

Gold Coast secures Lifesaving World Champs

After 30 years, the Lifesaving World Championships are returning to Queensland.

spectators and inject more than $15 million back into the local economy.

More than 5,000 competitors from up to 50 countries will flock to the Gold Coast in 2024, after the city was officially named by the International Life Saving Federation as the host venue for the sport’s most prestigious event.

“Queensland is home to some of the world’s top beaches, many of them on the Gold Coast, and I can’t think of a better location to showcase our sport to the world,” said SLSQ President Mark Fife OAM.

The World Championships, last held in Queensland back in 1988, are set to attract in excess of 12,000

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.

“Thanks to the Queensland Government and the Council of the City of Gold Coast for their outstanding support, which has helped make this a reality.”

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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.

INFANTS: DO NOT TILT HEAD

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

CONTINUE CPR UNTIL RESPONSE OR NORMAL BREATHING RETURNS.

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