Ahead of summer, surf lifesavers are reminding people not to swim at unpatrolled beaches and to consider their own abilities, and the conditions, before attempting a rescue.
They warn that diving in to help, without the right skills or equipment, can be dangerous.
"If you have a surfboard or flotation device and you are a good swimmer, definitely help them if you're capable," Nathan Fife from Surf Life Saving Queensland said.
"We don't want people going out and helping people without any rescue equipment because otherwise, you're getting in trouble as well.
"Then you've got two people who need rescuing and potentially two deaths."
Mr Fife said instead people should call triple-zero (000) and try to flag down nearby surfers or anyone else on the beach.
"Those people probably are in trouble because they are in a rip," Mr Fife said.
"If you're a weak swimmer and you jump in that rip, unfortunately, you're going to be a statistic."
Rescues gone wrong
In coastal drowning statistics, every year, there are people who drown while attempting a rescue, says Stacey Pidgeon as Royal Life Saving Australia's national manager of research and policy.
"It's often a parent who is on [the] scene to rescue children who have gotten into trouble, and unfortunately they are the ones who have drowned," she said.
Seventy people drowned at Australian beaches in the 12 months to June 2022, according to the National Drowning Report from Royal Life Saving Australia.
The report highlighted that 8 per cent of those drowning deaths were people trying to save someone else.
"It is incredibly tragic and we do want to make sure going into this summer that these statistics aren't repeated," Ms Pidgeon said.
"Obviously with children, it's a natural instinct to go after them.
"But if you don't have the skills and ability yourself, unfortunately, you may end up getting into trouble."
Swim between the flags
Lifesavers are reminding people the safest option is to swim at patrolled beaches, between the red and yellow flags.
"We've seen too many incidents over the past couple of years where people are swimming well outside patrol hours," Mr Fife said.
"It can be very dangerous when the lifesavers aren't there or the population of people on the beach aren't there.
"[If] no one can see you, no one can send for help."
