Tonight (Sunday 9 February) an after hours search and rescue was conducted at Karioitahi Beach by Surf Life Saving Kariaotahi Lifeguards after receiving a callout request at 7.19pm. Lifeguards launched an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) search for a troubled swimmer who was located and returned to shore. Lifeguards performed CPR on the patient who was unable to be revived. Two other swimmers involved in the incident made it back to shore without Lifeguard support and were transported to the hospital with minor and moderate injuries. The death has been referred to the coroner.

Surf Life Saving Northern Region Operations Manager Alan Gibson says that the tragic incident is a strong reminder for the public to stay safe by only swimming in patrolled beach locations. All queries regarding the incident must be referred to the Police. Please find further details on the weekend patrol summary and statistics for Surf Life Saving Northern Region below.

Weekend Summaries

Sunday 9 February

On Sunday there were three separate assists at Karekare beach due to an outgoing tide. Lifeguards performed tube rescues for three swimmers assisting them to shore.

A water search at Raglan was conducted for a swimmer that had been seen entering the harbour. The informant had watched the swimmer cross over the bar and then lost sight of them. When alerted, lifeguards responded with an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) from the surf club to begin a search. They stayed on the southern side of the bar as it was believed that was where the swimmer would be located. The swimmer was located by a member of the public on a boat (all boats in the area had been informed of the missing person by Coastguard) who was able to confirm the swimmer was fine and required no assistance.

Saturday 8 February

On Saturday two major first aids were performed at United North Piha. The first major first aid took place when a member of the public alerted lifeguards to a person they suspected to be in cardiac arrest. The patient was a 17 year old female who was treated for hypothermia and then taken in the ambulance to hospital.

The second major first aid at United North Piha involved a elderly male at the north end of the beach who had a lowered level of consciousness, difficulty breathing and was grey in colour. Lifeguards and first response attended to the patient whilst on the beach before moving him to the carpark where he was transported by ambulance to the hospital.

A third major first aid took place at Bethells beach and involved a 25 year old female with a broken ankle. Lifeguards transported her to the surf club where she was met by an ambulance and taken to hospital.

Lifeguards performed a rescue at Piha and several assists occurred at United North Piha and Raglan.

Weekend Statistics (08/02/2020 – 09/02/2020)

No. of people rescued 1
No. of people assisted 5
No. of major 1st aids 10
No. of minor 1st aids 25
No. of searches 1
No. of preventative actions 418
No. of Public Involved 2,149
Peak headcount 8,903
Total hours worked 2,590

Sunday Statistics (09/02/2020)

No. of people rescued 0
No. of people assisted 3
No. of major 1st aids 3
No. of minor 1st aids 16
No. of searches 1
No. of preventative actions 193
No. of Public Involved 930
Peak headcount 3,829
Total hours worked 1,416.5

Saturday Statistics (08/02/2020)

No. of people rescued 1
No. of people assisted 2
No. of major 1st aids 7
No. of minor 1st aids 9
No. of searches 0
No. of preventative actions 225
No. of Public Involved 1,219
Peak headcount 5,074
Total hours worked 1,173.5

Key:
Rescue: When lifeguards save someone from drowning.
PA: Preventative Actions e.g. lifeguards giving people safety instructions e.g. advising to swim between the flags/advising to move away from a rip etc.
Assists: Early intervention by lifeguards to prevent member of public from getting into major difficulty.
Public Involved: Number of people lifeguards interacted with.

2019-2020 Beach Safety Messages

1. Choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the flags
2. Ask a lifeguard for advice
3. Don't overestimate your ability
4. Keep young children within arm’s reach at all times
5. Never swim or surf alone
6. Watch out for rip currents, they can carry you away from shore
7. When fishing from rocks, always wear a lifejacket
8. If in doubt, stay out!
9. If you see someone in trouble, call 111 and ask for Police
10. Be sun smart – Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap.

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