151,135 Rescued From Surf In Australia, N.Z.

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30953, 8 January 1966, Page 11

151,135 Rescued From Surf In Australia, N.Z.

the last 50 years, the Surf Life-saving movements of Australia and New Zealand have been responsible for saving many thousands of lives from drowning. While the impressive number of 6720 lives saved has been recorded by the New Zealand Association, up to the end of last season, this pales in comparison with Australia. It has rescued a grand total of 145.115 from the surf.

The surf movement in Australia is large and recent figures indicate that without the service rendered by lifesavers many thousands of those rescued could easily have lost their lives.

But New Zealand has no Reason to feel inferior. Its member clubs are scattered, proportionally, on a much greater scale than in Australia where most of the clubs are centred relatively closely to the cities.

For the year ending July last 5312 swimmers were rescued on Australian beaches and of these 2657 had to be brought out with the aid of a reel, line and belt The training of life-

savers to operate either as part of a team or as individuals is shown by the figure of 2254 who were brought to safety singlehanded.

These figures indicate that the core of the movement is basically sound and, in spite of the advent of more positive methods of rescue, the techniques in use cannot be displaced.

Recently developed aids, such as surf-boats, skis, and paddle boards, have supplemented the total by more than 400. It is probable that most of these rescues were made in circumstances where rescue would have been impossible without them.

The membership of both Australian and New Zealand clubs roughly parallels the over-all population, with the odds possibly favouring New Zealand. Australia has nearly 12,000 active members and 11,000 others, while New Zealand has more than 2500 active members and nearly 3000 others.

Of the 5000 Australians brought to safety, only 41 required artificial resusdta-

tion (eight in New Zealand), but 12,352 were treated as first aid cases (503 in New Zealand).

Surf awards were gained by 2444 new members last year, this being an essential qualification for active service, and Australia has had 55,638 qualified members in its 58 years of existence.

New Zealand’s qualifications are a little more stringent than that of Australia. The prospective candidate has to undergo the stillwater tests of the Royal Life-Saving Society before qualifying for the New Zealand Surf Life-Saving Association’s surf award, which

corresponds with Australian standards.

The movement, which began in Australia, has spread to many parts of the world.

All have the same ideal of voluntary service and the Australian motto, “Vigilance and Service,” is similar to New Zealand’s “Vigilance, Service and Endurance.” Great Britain’s increase from five clubs to 28 since 1958 indicates the great strides the movement has made overseas in recent years.

There is also an International Council of Surf Lifesaving, with headquarters in Australia, so that activities can be co-ordinated.