Patterns to Surf Rescues in Australia

The popularity of the Australian beach in summer is undeniable, with millions flocking to beaches across Australia every year. However with the greater numbers of bathers there is a commensurate increase in the number of rescues by Surf Lifesavers.

Damian Morgan and Joan Ozanne-Smith (VIFM) have investigated the links between preventative actions, rescues, drownings and various climactic conditions/beach attendances over summer.

They found that the number of rescues was proportional to the number of beachgoers. However there was no statistically significant link between climactic conditions such as wave height/wind conditions etc. and the number of rescues.

The research also indicated that a greater number (65%) of rescues were of young men, but older people were more likely to be in a worse condition by comparison.