Public Rescue Equipment rollout extends beach safety beyond surf lifesaving patrol season

With surf lifeguards no longer on patrol and as winter nears, Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) is marking a major milestone in the national rollout of Public Rescue Equipment (PRE), with installations now in place at surf clubs nationwide and expanding rapidly across high-risk coastal locations.

The initiative, designed to empower bystanders to safely assist in water emergencies, is already proving its value, with multiple successful rescues recorded in recent months.

SLSNZ’s GM – Lifesaving, Andy Kent says the rollout reflects a proactive approach to preventing drowning and improving outcomes before lifeguards arrive.

“Every summer, we see situations where members of the public attempt rescues without the right equipment, putting themselves at significant risk,” he says.

“Public Rescue Equipment provides a simple, effective way for people to help others in trouble while keeping themselves safe. It’s about giving everyday New Zealanders the tools and confidence to make a difference in those critical first moments.”

SLSNZ has now installed PRE units, including rescue buoys, at 72 of its surf lifesaving clubs nationwide, and across approximately 150 locations across the country in total. These are available to the public at all times – including when beaches are unpatrolled outside of the summer patrol season.

Installation of PRE at Surf Life Saving clubs has been completed in partnership with SLS Major Partner Aon, and with project funding from ACC, enabling consistent nationwide coverage across patrolled locations.

Aon’s CEO of New Zealand, Melissa Cantell, says Aon’s support for the installation of PRE is a natural extension of its support for SLSNZ.

"Our partnership with SLSNZ is about helping to nurture safer, more resilient communities by keeping them safe on our beaches. This is another step in ensuring more people have access to the tools and support they need to act quickly and safely in an emergency, ultimately helping to reduce risk and save lives.”

Beyond surf clubs, installations are accelerating at high-risk coastal locations across the country, supported by councils, community groups and regional partners. In collaboration with Drowning Prevention Aotearoa (DPA), SLSNZ is supporting the installation of PRE units at many more locations, particularly at unpatrolled parts of the coastline and at inland waterways.

Additional confirmed installations include 10 new sites across the Christchurch and Banks Peninsula coastline.

Napier City Council was among the first to adopt PRE during the pilot phase, helping inform the development of national guidelines and demonstrating the value of early intervention tools in coastal environments.

SLSNZ continues to work closely with councils and communities, supported by Coastal Hazard Assessments that identify priority locations for future PRE deployment. Assessments have been completed across multiple regions, including Tauranga, Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, Great Barrier Island, Northland, Whangārei, Wellington and Masterton.

SLSNZ is encouraging communities to consider PRE as a critical part of local water safety infrastructure, particularly in areas identified as high risk.

The growing network of PRE is already making a tangible difference, with several successful rescues highlighting the importance of accessible equipment in emergency situations.

In late January at Cable Bay in Northland, holidaying Taranaki firefighter Ross Bennett was getting changed following a swim near a Public Rescue Equipment (PRE) unit when he heard children shouting and noticed a young girl on a boogie board being blown further out to sea. With bystanders unsure how to respond, Ross quickly assessed the situation. Although he hadn’t used PRE before, he followed the pictogram instructions on the unit, grabbed a rescue buoy and entered the water to assist.

As he reached her, the girl had fallen from her board, but Ross was able to get the buoy to her and bring her safely back to shore, where she was reunited with her family. The incident highlights the value of having PRE readily available in public spaces, enabling everyday people to step in and help save lives when it matters most.

Similar rescues have occurred in Dunedin and Bay of Plenty.

In February at Bowentown Beach, off-duty surf lifeguard Josh Coombridge was with his family when he was alerted to a swimmer in distress. An older man had become exhausted in the water, while two others attempting to assist him were also being pulled further out by a strong outgoing tide, in what appeared to be otherwise calm conditions.

Coombridge immediately grabbed a nearby Public Rescue Equipment (PRE) rescue buoy and swam out to the group. Reaching them quickly, he used the buoy to stabilise the man before guiding all three swimmers safely back to shore. No medical treatment was required, and the rescued man later told Coombridge, “You saved my life.”

In March at St Kilda Beach in Dunedin, a bystander used Public Rescue Equipment (PRE) to assist a person in difficulty in the water. Acting quickly, the individual retrieved a rescue buoy from the nearby surf club and entered the water to reach the patient. The bystander remained with the person, using the buoy to keep them afloat, until a surf lifeguard arrived on a paddleboard to complete the rescue.

SLSNZ’s National Coastal Safety Manager, Tom Kearney says these incidents reinforce the importance of equipping the public with the right tools, particularly in locations where lifeguards may not be immediately present.

“Bystander rescues are a common factor in water‑related incidents,” he says. “About 13 percent of New Zealand adults have rescued someone, with almost half not using flotation — despite flotation being one of the simplest ways to reduce risk when helping others.

“Having PRE available means people can act quickly, without putting themselves in unnecessary danger. It’s a simple intervention that can have a life-saving impact and empower members of the public to provide immediate, potentially life-saving assistance.”

PRE units typically include rescue buoys and clear, easy-to-follow instructions, enabling anyone to assist a person in trouble in the water.

SLSNZ has also expanded its online resources, including video guidance, to support public understanding of how and when to use the equipment safely.

As installations continue to expand nationwide, SLSNZ is encouraging councils, community groups and coastal stakeholders to consider PRE as a critical part of local water safety infrastructure.