60 rescues nationally over weekend as people make the most of pre-work weather

SLSNZ was advised by Coastguard of a paddleboarder who was in difficulty at the northern end of Orewa Beach. Surf lifeguards launched an IRB and assisted the person back to shore. 

At approximately 7pm, after patrol had finished for the day, Police informed SLSNZ of two people caught in a rip, 300m north of the access way at Glinks Gully, which is approximately 17km south of the Baylys Beach patrolled area. Three surf lifeguards from the Paid Lifeguard Service responded in a Toyota Hilux ute, towing an inflatable rescue boat (IRB). They were supported by the Baylys Beach Search & Rescue squad, which travelled to the area with another Toyota Hilux ute, towing a rescue water craft (RWC – jetski). The first surf lifeguards to arrive at the scene launched the IRB and located both people, who were in the water and unresponsive. They returned them to the beach to commence CPR. Unfortunately, resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.

Surf lifeguards at Tairua and Whangamatā both assisted patients who had suspected dislocated shoulders. Both patients had ambulances called but were stood down as they made their own way to local medical centres.

Surf lifeguards at Fitzroy, in the Taranaki region, conducted a mass rescue of four people who became stuck in a flash rip 50m north of the flagged area. All four were safely returned to shore with no medical support required.
 

Surf lifeguards at Piha administered pain relief to a person with a suspected broken ankle. They were transported by ambulance for further medical attention.

Surf lifeguards at Sunset (Port Waikato) monitored a patient with a suspected dislocated shoulder until their father arrived and re-located and took them to seek further medical attention.

Surf lifeguards at Whangamatā assisted three kayakers stuck on Donut Island. They retrieved the kayaks later in the day.

The Hot Water Beach Search & Rescue squad was activated to respond to a person with a pre-existing heart condition who was having difficulty breathing. The surf lifeguards helped transport the patient, alongside an ambulance First Response unit and secured a rescue helicopter. As they arrived at the beach, surf lifeguards noticed two swimmers in difficulty and quickly launched a rescue water craft (RWC – jetski) to successfully rescue them. Hot Water Beach surf lifeguards assisted 11 people throughout the day.

Lifeguards at New Plymouth Old Boys in Taranaki monitored a person with a knee injury until an ambulance arrived.

Surf lifeguards at Taylors Mistake responded to an incident where a fisher fell from rocks at Moki Point near Taylors Mistake beach. Three surf lifeguards responded by IRB and rescue board, supporting a paramedic who had been winched to the location by helicopter. The surf lifeguards went on to the rocks and assisted the paramedic in transporting the person, who had severe trauma related injuries, into the helicopter basket to be winched into the helicopter.

Surf lifeguards at Waimari beach in Christchurch responded via ATV to a paraglider who had fallen into the dunes. Alongside a member of the public, they performed first aid and monitored the paraglider's injuries until paramedics arrived. Surf lifeguards then transported the patient to a waiting ambulance.