Lifesavers are money savers too
And they will be better supported than ever, with a new $190,000 jet rescue boat.
The boat is part of Surf Life Saving South Australia's plan to have three "rescue nodes" at strategic points along the SA coastline - one based in the metropolitan area, one on the Mid Coast and one on the South Coast near Victor Harbor and Goolwa.
State president John Baker said the boat replaced one that was 12 years old, and the association hoped to buy a third boat to complete the strategic plan.
Lifesavers have been kept busy even before patrols started this season, with two separate scuba diver deaths at Port Noarlunga and two tourists drowning off Kangaroo Island in April.
State manager Shane Daw said beachgoers should be prepared for the hot weather.
"Remember to be sun-smart, rather than ending the day sunburnt," Mr Daw said. "Also, remember your skill levels may have dropped, the water could be a bit cooler, there may be that unfamiliarity in the water and this can all contribute to people getting in trouble."
Mr Daw encouraged beachgoers to swim at patrolled beaches or, if they were not able to, to carefully plan how to get assistance if anyone got into trouble.
"Even if you're experienced, things can go wrong very quickly," he said.
Patrols start as a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers shows that lifesavers around the country do more than save lives - they also save the nation about $3.6 billion.
In South Australia, that equates to $77 million of lives saved - each "statistical life" being worth $3.7 million - and $2 million of volunteer time and $9 million in flow-on effects, including preventing the costs of injuries and incapacity.
Mr Baker said donations were still needed to keep lifesavers on the beach.
The State Government provides $1.51 million annually, making up 34.5 per cent of the money needed to run surf life saving in SA.
Mid Jet Boat - News
And they will be better supported than ever, with a new $190000 jet rescue boat. The boat is part of Surf Life Saving South Australia's plan to have three "rescue nodes" at strategic points along the SA coastline - one based in the metropolitan area,
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