Lessons in beach safety

ROB “Dr Rip” Brander could have taught the Christmas Day drowning victim how to avoid and survive a rip 10 days before his death.

Two weeks before international student Ravneet Singh Gill, 22, died in a rip off Duranbah, Dr Brander visited Southern Cross University to host a surf safety workshop with international students.

“Two weeks ago, I was up on the Gold Coast giving a beach safety talk to international students,” Dr Brander said. “I don’t know if they were there but there is one thing I do know which is that it’s hard to get international students interested in this kind of stuff.

“At least the university was trying to do something about beach safety.”

He said those unfamiliar with beaches were at risk.

“Anyone who gets stuck in rips, new migrants, international students or anyone who lives inland is a risk group,” he said. “We’re not doing enough to educate people about rips.”