Public rescue equipment will soon be rolled out at key coastal locations across Tasmania, giving beachgoers access to lifesaving tools when no lifeguards are on duty.
Surf Life Saving Tasmania (SLST) is finalising sites for the stations, which will pair rescue tubes with emergency instructions and unique location codes for Triple Zero (000) calls.
The rollout is expected to begin at select beaches in the coming months.
SLST’s Morgan Evans said the initiative could help reduce drowning deaths at unpatrolled beaches.
“Public rescue equipment empowers our community to act safe because every second counts,” Evans said.
“Together, we can reduce coastal drownings all year round.”
Each station will feature a bright yellow canister containing a rescue tube with a lanyard, step-by-step signage and a QR code linking to the BeachSafe app.
Bystanders are urged to always call emergency services before entering the water.
The equipment is intended for confident swimmers only, with SLST stressing the need for caution.
“Don’t enter the water beyond your capabilities. If in doubt, stay onshore and call 000,” the organisation said.
SLST likened the project to the rollout of public defibrillators.
“… We see public rescue equipment as a natural extension of community safety initiatives, much like the rollout of public access AEDs across Tasmania,” it said.
The organisation said patrolled beaches remain the safest option and the stations are not a substitute for swimming between the red and yellow flags.
