Public Rescue Equipment (PRE) refers to flotation devices like rescue buoys and life rings that provide buoyancy for a person in distress in the water, and to assist a rescuer going to someone’s aid.
When installed in public areas at coastlines, lakes, and harbours, PRE enables bystanders to assist in water emergencies before emergency services arrive.
The goal is to provide a crucial rescue tool that can be used effectively by the public with minimal hesitation and without putting the rescuer's own safety at risk.
Proper use of PRE can significantly reduce drowning incidents, especially at unpatrolled locations.
Watch the video below on how to use PRE.
Where is it located?
With funding from ACC and the support of our Major Partners Aon, Surf Life Saving has installed PRE units with rescue buoys at 72 of our surf lifesaving clubs. See all our clubs listed here.
These are for use by the community at times when the beach is unpatrolled and is not lifeguarded outside of the summer patrol season.
Thank you to ACC and Aon for making this possible.
In collaboration with Drowning Prevention Aotearoa, as part of the Operation Flotation projects, Surf Life Saving is also supporting the installation of many more PRE units around the country – particularly at unpatrolled parts of our coastline. We encourage communities to get involved and consider installing PRE at high-risk locations.
Thank you to DPA for your collaboration.
For information relating to use of PRE at inland waterways, visit the DPA website.
WHY IS IT NEEDED?
PRE is an essential tool for drowning prevention.
Every year, bystanders undertake in-water rescues across New Zealand’s coastal and inland waterways. And bystander water rescues are often highly emotive events that can also be fatal when the rescuer gets in trouble themselves.
Research (Omnipoll, 2023) has shown that a major factor in these tragic situations is the lack of flotation devices. This research indicates:
• 14% of New Zealand adults have rescued someone;
• 43% of rescues occurred at a beach;
• 58% of rescues occurred at an unpatrolled beach;
• 54% of rescues were conducted without the use of any flotation device
New Zealand’s drowning rate is too high, and we all need to play our part in saving lives in and around the water.
HOW SHOULD A RESCUE BOUY BE USED?
The first thing to note is: if you can’t swim, do NOT use a PRE device and do NOT enter the water.
Then, if someone is in distress in the water and there are no lifeguards on site:
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Call emergency services on 111, ask for police
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Rescuing from land is the best option, if possible. Assess the conditions and only enter the water as a last resort.
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Lift the buoy off the cradle
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Undo the velcro from the sash, and put the sash over your shoulder to sit diagonally across your chest.
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If possible, alert others before entering the water with the PRE
Do you know a location in New Zealand that should have PRE installed?
We’d love to hear from you. We can provide all the information and pricing needed to support the installation of a PRE unit in your community.
Contact us: PREorder@surflifesaving.org.nz
Check out our Guide to PRE for the New Zealand Coast
