Mark Head, a seasoned Avalon lifesaver with the Avalon Surf Life Saving Club, has become a prominent advocate for the latest summer beach safety campaign in the Northern Beaches.
In September 2023, Mr Head, a veteran with 39 years of experience as a lifesaver, was struck by a rescue board during a training exercise at Avalon Beach. The board caught the lip of a wave, flipped backward, and struck him in the forehead, leading to a life-altering spinal cord injury.
Mr Head’s life took an unexpected turn when he was discovered underwater after eight minutes and required nearly 90 minutes of CPR to be revived. It was, by all accounts, a “freak accident” but it left the Avalon lifesaver paralysed due to severe spinal cord injuries.
Advocating for Safety
Despite his experience, Mr Head has chosen to advocate for beach safety as part of the Northern Beaches Council’s campaign. He has observed that even children, unfamiliar with the potential dangers of the ocean, often run into the surf without fully comprehending the risks. His message resonates, particularly on days when the ocean appears calm but can still pose hidden dangers.
At the campaign launch, Mr Head emphasised the need for greater awareness among beachgoers, particularly parents and children, about the potential hazards of the ocean. In the previous year, six people tragically drowned in the unpatrolled beaches.
The statistics revealed that approximately 10.8 million people visited the region’s 24 beaches, with 1,427 rescues performed. Additionally, council lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers conducted 425,000 “preventative actions,” such as guiding swimmers to stay within flagged areas, avoiding rip currents, and cautioning board riders to steer clear of the flags.
Clinton Rose, Beach Safety Manager at Northern Beaches Council, stressed that the campaign’s ultimate goal is to eliminate drownings on local beaches during the summer season. The council has allocated resources and personnel to ensure beach safety, but community cooperation is essential. The educational program aims to equip individuals with the knowledge to navigate rip currents, swim within designated areas, avoid swimming alone, and provide safety guidelines in case of emergencies.
The Responsibility of All Beachgoers
Tracey Hare-Boyd, CEO of Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches, acknowledged the region’s commendable track record of no lives lost between the red and yellow flags. However, she emphasised that drownings can occur on unpatrolled beaches or when lifesavers are off-duty, especially in the warm evenings.
As the summer season approaches, Northern Beaches Council’s beach safety campaign provides invaluable guidance. The top four beach safety tips include swimming at patrolled beaches between the flags, reading safety signs for crucial information, always swimming with a companion for mutual safety, and remaining calm while seeking help in the water by raising one arm to attract attention.
Published 8-Jan-2024