{"id":13843,"date":"2021-11-16T02:54:18","date_gmt":"2021-11-16T02:54:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/?p=13843"},"modified":"2021-11-16T02:54:18","modified_gmt":"2021-11-16T02:54:18","slug":"australian-first-to-help-save-surfers-lives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/2021\/11\/16\/australian-first-to-help-save-surfers-lives\/","title":{"rendered":"Australian first to help save surfers' lives"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new fleet of drones will be deployed to help prevent shark attacks with custom first-aid kits and technology rolled out to surf clubs up and down the NSW coast as part of a new strategy to help save lives.
\nIn an Australian-first, the NSW Government will partner with Surfing NSW to deliver shark attack specific first-aid training,\u00a0life-saving technology and custom first aid kits to more than 160 board rider clubs and surf schools across the coast.
\nAs part of the\u00a0shark incident response program,\u00a0up to 20 drones deployed to patrol surf events.
\nMinister for Agriculture Adam Marshall made the announcement today and said Surfing NSW would receive $500,000 in funding to roll-out the revolutionary strategy.
\n\u201cSadly, most recent shark attack victims have been surfers, so this investment is about doing everything we can to ensure they get help quickly,\u201d Mr Marshall said.
\n\u201cEvery surfer in NSW will now have access to first-aid training through Surfing NSW\u2019s Surfers Rescue 24\/7 program, while customised medical kits and training will be supplied to more than 110 NSW boardrider clubs and 55 surf schools.
\n\u201cTo help keep surfers even safer, an additional fleet of 20 drones will be used by Surfing NSW to patrol their events, in addition to our world-leading fleet of shark-spotting drones already delivered by Surf Life Saving NSW.
\n\u201cNSW has the largest shark management program anywhere across the globe and this is just another tool to help keep swimmers and surfers safe at the best beaches in the world.\u201d
\nSurfing NSW CEO Luke Madden said partnering with the NSW Government would upskill surfers to ensure they had the knowledge and tools needed in dire situations.
\n\u201cI think I speak for a lot of surfers in this state, when I say that we\u2019re grateful for this support that will ultimately benefit all NSW surfers,\u201d Mr Madden said.
\n\u201cThese skills and resources could prove life-saving, especially in remote regions where emergency services may be some distance away.
\n\u201cEvery one of us wants to make sure we have the skills and tools we need so that if the worst happens to one of our mates, we can do everything we can to save them.\u201d
\nThe NSW Government\u2019s 2021-2022 Shark Management Program includes:<\/p>\n