Students from St Albans Primary School and Glengala Primary School learnt how to stay safe around water, while meeting the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service (WLRHS) crew who patrol the state’s waterways.
The WLRHS crew were greeted by plenty of smiling young faces, excited to meet the brave crew.
The WLRHS, operated by Life Saving Victoria (LSV), plays a vital role in the state, providing a free community service carrying out search and rescue missions, aerial surveillance and beach patrols.
A visit from the helicopter and its crew allowed students to develop a greater understanding of the role that lifesaving services play within the community and provide important water safety education that could save a life.
Westpac regional general manager Cherie Hawker said the visit is a great opportunity for students to hear first-hand from the crew who dedicate their lives to helping the community and learn important safety tips so they’re better prepared if faced with a water-based emergency.
“We know lots of students enjoy our waterways, so it’s an important time to remind young Victorians about keeping safe,” she said.
“They also got a close-up view of the service’s state-of-the-art lifesaving equipment that’s designed to help the crew in emergency situations, including the helicopter’s radio and navigation equipment and its two-person rescue winch.”
The WLRHS has been patrolling Victoria’s coastline between Wilson’s Prom and Apollo Bay again this season, assisting in search and rescue operations and patrols, as they have for nearly 50 years in Victoria.
