Surf Life Saving Queensland s lifesaving services manager Peta Lawlor said the rule applied to people of all ages and swimming capabilities. Alcohol impairs your judgment, slows your reaction time and reduces your co-ordination when in the water, she said. It does not matter how young, fit or good you are at swimming, the ocean does not discriminate and you will be tested. Surf Life Saving Australia s Coastal Safety Brief - Alcohol and Drugs also revealed most of the deaths were males between the age of 25-39 years old. We have seen people tragically lose their lives and leave behind devastated families, Ms Lawlor said.
Lifesavers fed up with being beach babysitters are urging parents to ditch their mobile phones and keep their kids within arm s reach after hundreds of children had to be rescued during the school holidays last year. Volunteer and professional lifesavers saved 361 children aged 12 or under in December and January last year with frightening numbers being rescued from outside the flags and even from flat water public lagoons. The alarming figures have prompted lifesavers bracing for a record summer school holidays to issue a plea for parents be on alert at the beach, and not leave their children alone in the water.