Daring rip rescue wins November’s bp Rescue of the Month

Daring rip rescue wins November’s bp Rescue of the Month

A daring rescue at last-light to rescue a swimmer swept out in a rip wins the first bp Rescue of the Month for the 2024/25 summer season.

The incident, which occurred at West Auckland’s Bethells Beach in the evening of 8 November, was reported to Police via 111. Four teenagers, swimming at the unpatrolled beach on an outgoing tide were pulled off a sand bank out by a strong rip. Three were able to self-rescue, but one remained caught in the rip and was being swept out to sea.

The call came in at approximately 8:20pm, with a notification of one person in distress on the main beach at Bethells Beach, and the Police Eagle helicopter and Bethells Beach Surf Search & Rescue squad were activated with urgency.

The swimmer―a 17-year-old woman in serious distress―managed to grab hold of the flotation device dropped by the Police Eagle helicopter. In the meantime, members of the Bethells Beach Surf Search & Rescue squad arrived at the clubrooms, set up an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB), completed a dynamic risk assessment, and launched the IRB, with the Police Eagle helicopter lighting their way. They completed the IRB rescue, retrieving the young woman and returning her to the beach. She had swallowed water and was already becoming hypothermic, but otherwise unharmed. Surf lifeguards returned her to the club, where two off duty paramedics checked her vitals, placed in a shower and warmed her up. Police arrived at the scene and the patient was discharged to go to A&E with friends.

Andy Kent, SLSNZ General Manager - Lifesaving, said, “This rescue demonstrates the value of working with sector partners. It was a tremendous effort from the volunteer surf lifeguards involved, along with the other emergency services who they worked alongside.

“It is a busy time of the year as temperatures start rising, and people start heading to the beach. The winner this month shows how critical surf lifeguards are in keeping beachgoers safe. As surf lifeguards say, there’s no off-switch.”

Surf Life Saving Northern Region General Manager Zac Franich said no one should be entering the water at a surf beach outside of patrol hours.

“This summer please always swim between the flags. If a beach is unpatrolled, or patrol has finished for the day, don’t risk your life by entering the water.

“This person was incredibly lucky that the Bethells Beach Surf Search & Rescue squad and Police were able to respond so quickly. Her friends did do the right thing by calling 111 for help, however, the situation could very easily have had a tragic outcome.”

Also highly commended were:

• Far North SAR squad - Tapotapota Bay rescue
• Muriwai Volunteer Lifeguard Service SAR Squad – Maukatia Bay rescue
• Piha SAR squad - Patiki Rip rescues

The bp Rescue of the Month awards recognise operational excellence by Surf Lifeguards. From November through to March, Surf Life Saving Clubs nominate their members for outstanding execution of their skills and training in searches, rescues, first-aids and other incidents. The monthly national winners go on to be finalists for bp Rescue of the Year which is announced at the annual Surf Life Saving Zealand Awards of Excellence, held in September.