Mr Mundy said anyone who got into trouble in the water should try to relax, not swim against a rip, and put their hand up.
Doing that "international sign of distress" gave others a chance to see what was happening and alert authorities.
"Don't over-estimate your ability and under-estimate the conditions."
Since Christmas Day, seven people have drowned, including four on Christmas day, and 12-year-old Jack Martin was killed on Boxing Day when he was riding an inflatable sea biscuit and was hit by a passing vessel on Blue Lake in Central Otago.
Yesterday, a 50-year-old local was free-diving at the private Puatai Beach near Gisborne when he was caught in a rip just after 2pm.
His family were trying to revive him on rocks when the Eastland Rescue Helicopter arrived.
Pilot Neil Dodds said he hovered overhead and let two emergency workers out, before landing nearby. By that time, the man had died.
"He was diving with a party of four, who were friends and family. They were the ones who helped him on to the rocks and proceeded to do CPR. When they found him, he was in an unconscious state. [The emergency workers] did a good job but, unfortunately, with a negative result, which we all struggle with."
A St John spokesman said the man's companions lost sight of him, and his body washed on to the beach. He was not wearing a wetsuit.
Yesterday morning, the body of a young man was recovered from the surf at Mt Maunganui. Police believe he was a 22-year-old foreigner who had been living in New Zealand for some time.
On Boxing Day, as well as the sea-biscuit death, an 82-year-old British woman drowned at Opito Bay in the Bay of Islands when she returned home from a walk, suffered a medical event and fell into a pond.
Four people drowned on Christmas Day, including 3-year-old Jimmy Laulu. He died in a lagoon at Ocean Beach in Hawkes Bay and yesterday, at his funeral, was described by his mother as a "little angel".
A foreign pair drowned at a beach near Raglan, and Whanganui 17-year-old Jordon James Marshall succumbed after being caught in a rip at Castecliff Beach.
There have also been several lucky escapes around the country.
On Sunday night, the Auckland Westpac rescue helicopter flew a 19-year-old man to hospital in a serious condition after he was caught in a rip while swimming at Piha.
Later in the evening, the chopper was called to Maraetai Beach, where a 15-year-old girl was in a serious condition after she struggled to keep her head above water while out swimming.
Emotional tribute to my hero
Jordon James Marshall has been remembered as a hero in an emotional online tribute. The 17-year-old died at Castlecliff Beach, Whanganui, on Christmas Day.
A young woman, who says she is Jordon's girlfriend, wrote on her Facebook page yesterday: "My biggest fear was losing you, the hardest thing is to try move on, the scariest thing is to try live without you. But you are my hero that is why I am still here today.
"I'll make sure that everyone knows my boy. You are now in the safe arms of God and your destiny will therefore carry on another journey. Loved [by] many and will be missed by many xx I love you ..."
The young woman also posted a photo featuring Jordon and captioned: "My hero."
• A list of beaches patrolled by surf lifesaving patrols can be found at findabeach.co.nz
