It seems all the messages, and subsequent warnings, continue to fall on deaf ears.
But, Lake Macquarie City Council lifeguards are repeating their call for beachgoers to stay safe this summer.
The plea comes after the crew’s busiest day on the LGA’s coast so far this season.
Saturday’s hot weather on 10 January drew thousands of people to the beach.
However, it also prompted a sharp spike in serious incidents and rescues.
Team Leader Beach Lifeguards Hayden Copping said the first unfolded about 9.10am when a boat sent out a distress call in the Swansea Channel.
Those at Blacksmiths sprang into action, jumping on a jet ski and staying with the vessel until an NSW Marine Rescue launch could tow it to safety.
Then, about 2.40pm, as the mercury reached almost 40 degrees, a 20-year-old woman required immediate attention after showing signs of heatstroke at Redhead Beach.
“The patient was falling in and out of consciousness,” Mr Copping said.
“So, it was certainly a serious situation.
“But, our lifeguards administered oxygen and stabilised her until paramedics arrived.”
The woman was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.
Less than half an hour later, council personnel at Catherine Hill Bay – and Australian Lifeguard Service members operating from Frazer Park – were tasked to the unpatrolled Moonee Beach.
There, a male swimmer was retrieved in a serious condition after getting into trouble offshore.
“The patient appeared to have swallowed a lot of water and was only managing to stay afloat because of the life-ring that people on shore had thrown him,” Mr Copping said.
They got the man to shore where he was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Close to 7pm, lifeguards at Redhead Beach, who had worked late due to the large crowds still in attendance, were called to a similar incident, with a female swimmer in distress around the headland off Glenrock State Conservation Area.
“She was in very bad shape, but the team attended along with City of Newcastle lifeguards,” Mr Copping said.
The woman was taken to hospital in a stable condition.
In total, council lifeguards performed four rescues, assisted four first aid incidents and took almost 190 preventative measures along the Lake Mac coast on Saturday.
“It was definitely our busiest day this season, both with the crowds and all the incidents,” Mr Copping said.
“Fortunately, they all had positive outcomes.
“It’s a credit to our lifeguards and those of our neighbouring areas.
“However, it is also a stark reminder of the dangers of swimming at unpatrolled beaches.
“We’re urging everyone once again to swim only between the red and yellow flags at our patrolled beaches and listen to the advice of lifeguards.”
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