Darren O’Rafferty instructs a Surfers Rescue 24/7 course at the 2013 Australian Surf Festival
Surfing New South Wales’s free CPR and board rescue course, Surfers Rescue 24/7, was held recently at the 2013 Australian Surf Festival at Port Macquarie.
More than 25 participants took part in the two Surfers Rescue 24/7 programs, which were presented by 2013 Open Men Australian Title winner and former World Championship Tour competitor Darren O’Rafferty.
The 2013 Australian Surf Festival was the first time the Surfers Rescue 24/7 program was available to surfers from other states and territories.
The three-hour course provided all participants with crucial training that could be vital in an emergency situation and ultimately save a life.
‘All surfers who I’ve seen do the Surfers Rescue 24/7 course have been so positive,’ said O’Rafferty. ‘Over the course of a surfer’s lifetime, most surfers will be a position where they have to make a rescue. The skills that Surfers Rescue 24/7 teach participants will ultimately make those situations easier for both the patient and rescuer.’
Surfing NSW is currently rolling out courses all over the state via your local boardrider club and surf school.
Surfers are in the water dawn until dusk, 365 days a year and are often first to assist in emergencies. With only five per cent of NSW beaches patrolled, surfers can be utilised to assist outside the flags.
Recreational surfers of all skill levels are encouraged to go to www.surfersrescue247.com and register for the course.
