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.
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, 1321 first aids and 455,820 preventative actions.
LSV chief executive officer 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,” Ms Greaves said.
“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.”
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.
