AS PART of Sunday’s official launch of Public Rescue Equipment (PRE) stations on Venus Bay’s five beaches, Life Saving Victoria’s Grace Strugnell headed to Beach 1 to demonstrate how to use the equipment.

She explained the rescue stations are made of high-quality materials to endure harsh coastal conditions and will be rigorously monitored to ensure they are in working order.

Each unit contains a solar panel and a red strobe light that is activated when the button is pressed to connect the user to triple zero.

With the unit in ‘test mode’, Grace pressed its button.

“You have requested emergency assistance.  A call will now be made to triple zero.  For water rescue ask for police, for medical help on land ask for ambulance,” the unit announced.

A sample discussion then took place with Grace being asked the nature of the emergency and detailing that and the identification code of the rescue station.

Venus Bay Surf Lifesaving Club member Declan Woolf then confidently demonstrated the removal and use of the rescue tube, retrieving fellow club member Rachael Walker from the water to enthusiastic applause.

Earlier, Grace stressed that only sufficiently competent swimmers should attempt a rescue, explaining the procedure for doing so is to take the tube off the unit, place the strap over your shoulder, swim out to the person in distress, extending the tube first to create distance between you and them.

If able to do so, you can then swim the person back in with the aid of the tube; otherwise, just wait side-by-side with them for emergency service personnel to arrive, the latter recommended for those lacking lifeguard skills.

Despite its lightweight nature, the tube can support up to 220 kilos.