More than 200,000 headed to the Queensland coast over the weekend with 27 rescues performed on Saturday and Sunday.

Surf lifesavers and lifeguards participated in more than 4000 preventative and performed 240 first aid treatments.

With favourable weather conditions expected again this weekend, surf lifesavers are calling on beach-goers to do the right thing to stay out of trouble.

“As a proportion of the total number of beach visitations, we had a relatively low number of rescues to perform over the weekend,” said Peta Lawlor, Surf Life Saving Queensland’s General Manager Lifesaving and Education.

“Thankfully, more than half of the rescues which needed to be performed took place between the red and yellow flags, meaning those people who got into trouble could be assisted quickly by surf lifesavers and lifeguards.

“It is another reminder for beach-goers to only swim at patrolled beaches, during patrol hours and to swim between the flags.”

To find your nearest patrolled beach, visit lifesaving.com.au.

Surf Life Saving Queensland Safety Tips 

• Swim only at a patrolled beach, between the red and yellow flags
• Supervise children in and around the water
• Don’t be a risk-taker when it comes to the ocean and always swim with a mate
• Don’t mix alcohol and drugs when swimming at the beach
• Find your nearest patrolled beach at www.lifesaving.com.au

QUEENSLAND STATEWIDE STATISTICS
14-15 October 2023 

• Total Rescues – 17
• Total Preventative Actions – 4,054
• Number of visitors to Queensland beaches – 200,511
• First Aid Treatments – 240

REGIONAL BREAKDOWN
Gold Coast 

• Total Rescues – 10
• Total Preventative Actions – 757
• Number of visitors to Gold Coast beaches – 50,076
• First Aid Treatments – 55

Sunshine Coast 

• Total Rescues – 6
• Total Preventative Actions – 1,142
• Number of visitors to Sunshine Coast beaches – 89,237
• First Aid Treatments – 66

Brisbane

• Total Rescues – 1
• Total Preventative Actions – 882
• Number of visitors to Brisbane beaches – 17,081
• First Aid Treatments – 40

Wide Bay Capricorn 

• Total Rescues – 0
• Total Preventative Actions – 470
• Number of visitors to Wide Bay Capricorn beaches – 10,806
• First Aid Treatments – 16

North Barrier 

• Total Rescues – 0
• Total Preventative Actions – 561
• Number of visitors to North Barrier beaches – 11,699
• First Aid Treatments – 28

North Queensland 

• Total Rescues – 0
• Total Preventative Actions – 242
• Number of visitors to North Queensland beaches – 21,612
• First Aid Treatments – 35