THE BRIBIE ISLAND SPORTFISHING CLUB

GUARDIAN ANGEL LIFESAVING RINGS PROJECT

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From left: Mick Sorrell, David Moore, Peter Griffiths, Ross Jocheim, and in front Meredith Macrae.

Too many tragedies have occurred along Queensland's rocky foreshores when fishers have been swept from popular rock ledges by unforgiving seas.  Friends, relatives and bystanders have been forced to look on helplessly while the unfortunates have perished.

A project currently being undertaken by the Australian National Sportfishing Association (ANSA) aims to provide some assistance in these cases.  The project, funded by the Queensland Department of  Emergency Services, involves local fishing clubs erecting and maintaining Guardian Angel Life Saving Devices at known dangerous locations.

The Guardian Angel is essentially a life-ring mounted upon a steel pole.  Any adult can remove the ring and throw it into the water near to a struggling swimmer.   The ring will keep the person afloat until help arrives.

The Bribie Island Sportfishing Club Inc is involved in the project, and has recently installed a Guardian Angel on Moreton Island at North Point.  Recreational fishers and others are asked to look out for the Guardian Angels and ensure that they are only used for their intended and vital purpose.

The problem is that when a person goes in they are generally not prepared.  Not only are they usually fully clothed, but oysters, rocks and barnacles often cause extensive injury.  If the water is cold, the chances of survival are still further reduced.  Reportedly excellent swimmers have drowned after as little as ten minutes in the water.  There is a need for a mechanism whereby an unfortunate victim can remain afloat until help arrives.  A life ring does not guarantee rescue but it increases the survival chances of an involuntary swimmer.

Since the New South Wales branch of ANSA started putting Guardian Angels in place eighteen months ago, six lives have been saved as a direct result of life rings being available.  The Queensland project, now underway, needs the co-operation of all anglers.  The extreme cost of vandalism is likely to be human life.  It is incumbent upon all to value the Guardian Angels and to protect them.  The life you're saving could be your very own.