BEACHED: Shoalhaven lifeguard Mitch Booth chats with visitors to the region, James Kase and Amber Hill, at Culburra Beach.
IT’S going to be hot, hot, hot.
With perfect summer weather upon us thousands of people are expected to hit the region’s rivers and beaches over the next few weeks and surf lifesavers and police have called for people to take extra care.
Locally it was a busy Christmas and new year period and a fatality-free one on beaches in the northern Shoalhaven.
More than 6000 people attended beaches patrolled by surf lifesavers in the Shoalhaven between December 22, 2012 and January 3.
Lifesavers rescued eight people in that time and administered first aid to 102 people.
It was estimated that 201 preventative actions were conducted, and one person was taken to hospital with suspected spinal injuries.
South Coast Branch Surf Life Saving president Steve Jones recently hosted a presentation by Dr Rob Brander, also known as Dr Rip on Friday.
“More than 140 people attended the Nowra/Culburra Surf Life Saving club house to listen to the presentation,” Mr Jones said.
“Everyone was paying attention and I think it’s fair to say the message got across.
“Dr Rip also touched on the issue of bluebottles and how to treat stings because they’re about in their thousands at the moment,” Mr Jones said.
Over the Christmas and new year period 72 people were treated for minor stings by Shoalhaven lifesavers.
Despite the public’s fear of creatures like sharks, the major hazard this summer will remain rip currents.
After a horror season last year with 47 coastal drownings in NSW, Surf Life Saving NSW lifesaving manager, Dean Storey, is urging people to make some simple safety decisions for themselves and their families this summer.
“Plan your day at the beach by choosing a patrolled location to swim at – Surf Life Saving has an easy to use website called beachsafe.org.au and free smart-phone app, Beachsafe, to help,” Mr Storey said.