More than 350 employed lifeguards are patrolling on 90 beaches throughout NSW, including North Beach and Urunga in Bellingen Shire, and these will continue until Tuesday, January 26.

The Australian Lifeguard Service, in partnership with local councils, will provide safe swimming areas as well as undertake rescues, undertake first aid treatment and provide surf and beach safety advice.

“Lifeguard services play an important part in ensuring the NSW coast remains one of Australia’s top summer destinations,” said Stephen Leahy, NSW Chief Lifeguard.

“People know they can go to a beach close to where they are visiting and there will be a lifesaving service there on any day of the summer holidays.”

Operation Edge is the ALS summer beach safety campaign that strives to ensure the community enjoy their visit to the beach in safety and minimal incidents occur on our beaches.

A recent nation-wide study that reviewed coastal drownings over the last four years clearly indicated that males up to 30 years old were most likely to drown and that drownings occurred in rips near patrolled locations between 12.00 pm and 6.00 pm. Most drownings occurred in the first months of the year, on weekdays.

Part of the campaign focuses on community education but lifeguards will play an important part in Operation Edge. Lifeguards will be maintaining a high level of visibility – beachgoers should be able to quickly identify their lifeguard (not just the safe swimming area and the flags) when they arrive at the beach. Preventative actions will remain constant and lifeguards are expected to communicate informally and regularly with people on their beach.

“Safety information cards will given to visitors to our beaches and we are placing them in as many hotels, motels, caravan parks and backpacker hostels as possible,” said Mr Leahy.

“We want visitors to have a great time on our beaches, and there are some easy tips to follow to ensure that you have fun safely,” said Mr Leahy.