Near drownings prompt calls for more awareness

IN WHAT could have been a devastating outcome, a Phillip Island surfer just happened to be in the right place at the right time when five swimmers were caught in a rip.

Mark Ritterman, a lifelong surfer who is well accustomed to the Island’s beaches, was enjoying an afternoon swim at Berrys Beach on Sunday, December 4, when he noticed five swimmers struggling.

Fortunately, another surfer was also there at the time who assisted with the rescues.

Mark first noticed a young woman, most likely a ‘schoolie’, heading into trouble before eventually rescuing four men moments later.

“I went surfing at Berrys Beach around 4-4:30pm on Sunday for about 30 minutes,” he said noting conditions were calm at the time.

“I decided to drop my board at the top of the beach to go for a swim.

“I noticed a young woman wading into a dangerous area of the beach, so I decided to swim in that direction.

“As I moved towards her she waved me over. I waded over to her and grabbed her wrist. She wasn't yet in serious trouble, but would have been a few moments later.”

He said the young woman then indicated that she had noticed a group of men also appeared to be in trouble.

“I saw two of the men about 20 meters away and the heads of another two further out. It was low tide, so where I was standing, knee deep at the end of a rip, was several hundred meters away from other beachgoers and any floatation device.

“I got to two of the men quickly and managed to pull them onto the sandbank.

“They were panicking, gesturing and yelling in broken English, pointing to their mates who were in serious trouble.

“I swam off the edge of the sandbar and into the rip and as I got within a few meters, I could see they were both struggling, but one in particular who wasn't taking a breath each time a wave washed over him.”

The situation began to escalate as the swimmers continued to panic more and more.

“They weren't responsive, they didn't calm, they didn't float on their back, or slow their breathing.

“They were panicking and were exhausted. I held them up as much as I could for what felt like a long time, but was probably only a few minutes.

“In one moment, which I have replayed in my mind several times since Sunday, one of the men grabbed a hold of my shoulders to keep himself afloat.

“At that moment, I made a conscious decision to push him off me. I had heard of rescuers drowning in situations like this, and I wasn't going to let that happen to me.

“But at that moment I thought I was going to watch two men drown and that there was nothing I could do. As this was happening, another local surfer was paddling towards the three of us.”

Fortunately, he was able to get the attention of the other surf who managed to pull the men onto his surfboard.

“It took another 5-10 minutes to get them back to the rocks and to safety.

“I was hugged by one of the men we rescued, and suggested he go to hospital to check whether or not that he had swallowed any water.”

The surfer highlighted that it was a very positive outcome that could have been disastrous, and was thankful for the other surfer’s quick wit.

Since the experience, he strongly urges all beachgoers to be aware of the surf conditions and how easily they can get into trouble, especially those who are inexperienced.

He also highlighted the need for more measures to help prevent drownings such as better signage, warnings in different languages and the possibility of life saving patrols at Berrys Beach.

“I keep coming back to the fact that they likely would have all drowned had I not been there, and if the other surfer hadn't appeared when he did, two men would have drowned and I would have lived with that for the rest of my life,” he said.

The timing was also coincidental with Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Michael Whelan, highlighting in his weekly column that lifesavers are returning to beaches across the state this month, including six patrolled beaches in Bass Coast.

“I urge beachgoers to head to those beaches where lifeguards are on duty and to swim between the red and yellow flags, where lifeguards can look out for you in the water and to never swim alone,” Mayor Whelan said.

“Summer brings regulations relating to dogs on beaches. Council encourages beach goers to ensure they are following the regulations by checking the signs at the access points to beaches and reserves or by visiting Council’s website at: www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/dogwalking.