AFTER pulling out a young girl from a rip at the Tuncurry rockpool, Vaughn Davids wants the popular swimming hole’s safety improved to prevent a future tragedy.
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Mr Davids pulled the girl out on Tuesday, right after another person rescued two more children from the same rip.
“She was a young girl, about 9 or 10, in the rockpool on a boogie board,” Mr Davids said.
“I was watching her, then all of a sudden she was on the net. She was kicking but not going anywhere.
“I went in to check if she was ok, but I felt pretty sure she wasn’t.”
He swum out and found that her legs were stuck in the net.
Mr Davids got her away from the rock-wall and kept pushing the board until she was in the shallows.
“I am a fairly strong swimmer and could get myself out, but with the girl it was difficult,” he said.
Mr Davids swims with the Forster Mudcrabs and his swimming colleagues say it is a common problem.
He said he could see how a child could get into trouble in the rip.
“She was too shaken up to say thanks. She just went off to her grandparents.”
Mr Davids’ wife Chris said she hoped the Great Lakes Council would improve safety in the rockpool before a serious incident happened.
“Because it is a holiday there are a lot of grandparents looking after children” Mrs Davids said.
“They are either not dressed or can’t swim themselves if there is an emergency.
“The net has white buoys along it. I suggest paint the last 10 on the right hand side red as a warning not to go in the area.”
Mrs Davids used to do surf lifesaving in England and said the red buoys were a cheap and effective way to warn people.
“As a parent and grandparent I’m looking to find a solution to help and warn people,” she said.
“They come from different areas and they are not used to coastal tides or rips.”
Great Lakes Council parks and recreation services manager Andrew Staniland said council appreciated Mrs Davids’ idea and would review it.
"Council is always looking for ways to improve our facilities, with the rock pool being no different,” Mr Staniland said.
“Council is currently looking into different technologies that may improve the anchoring system of the net. Further, council regularly reviews its signage and ensures that the symbols are clear and easy to interpret."
He said people had to remember the rock pool was not patrolled and the conditions could change at any time.
"The Great Lakes Council area is renowned for its healthy lakes and vast coastline, but unfortunately we cannot have a lifeguard at every water body,” Mr Staniland said.
“As a rule people should swim between the red and yellow flags, which are present on four beaches across the Great Lakes.
“If people choose not to swim at one of these locations, they need to ensure they are assessing the conditions before they enter the water and swim to their abilities."