Lifeguards are pleading for Bay swimmers to never swim alone and be aware of rips now that volunteer beach patrols have ended. The region's lifeguard service chief, Nigel Cox, urged beachgoers to take simple measures such as swimming with others, using correct safety equipment and being aware of rips and currents. Lifeguards,who have been protecting people on the region's beaches since Labour weekend last year, had their last patrol over Easter. But with the continued warm weather and hospitable water temperatures, they are warning swimmers to take care on beaches. Surf Life Saving Bay of Plenty chief executive Nigel Cox said: "Although the lifeguards are not there to identify a safe place to swim, the public can educate themselves by following these surf safety rules and learn how to identify rips and escape from them if caught in one," Mr Cox said. On the region's most popular beach at the Mount Maunganui, lifeguards made 38 rescues, gave first aid 51 times and completed 50 searches. Moving people before trouble happened saw 245 preventative actions involving 9052 people. Andrew Cochrane, director of lifesaving at Waihi Beach surf lifesaving, said a team of about 50 volunteers worked 2239 hours since patrols started on labour weekend. Lifeguards made 14 rescues, were involved in two searches and conducted 717 preventive actions. Easter weekend proved uneventful with no rescues needed. At Omanu, club captain Isaac Gilmour said 50 volunteers patrolled the beach for 40 eight-hour periods. In that time they made 22 rescues - down 50 per cent on the previous year. Mr Gilmour said the lifeguard mantra of "swim between the flags" was finally sinking in. "People don't seem to be taking the risks they used to. There haven't been as many holes or rips this year that may have also meant not as many people needed to be rescued." Lifeguards had made 500 preventative actions - meaning people were moved before trouble eventuated. At Maketu, a dedicated group of locals made 10 rescues, attending six overturned boats, two other boats in trouble at sea and two swimmers in difficulty. Committee member Penni Gibson said the club did not have patrols but provided a call-out service in emergencies. The squad was working with the Maketu Fire Brigade until it could build up a membership to provide beach patrols. Nationally, lifeguards saved 1943 lives, conducted 1319 first-aid treatments and undertook 76,256 preventative actions.
