Sept. 24, 2014, 10 p.m.

A renewed focus on prevention is to thank for a huge drop in the number of beach swimmers caught in dangerous situations last season, according to Wollongong lifesavers.

Carl Nottage, of Surf Life Saving Illawarra, says the focus has been on advising swimmers of safe practice. Picture: GREG TOTMAN

A renewed focus on prevention is to thank for a huge drop in the number of beach swimmers caught in dangerous situations last season, according to Wollongong lifesavers.

Despite a big jump in beach attendance in the 2013-14 season from the two previous years, lifesavers on Wollongong beaches were forced to handle just 243 rescues compared with 433 in 2011-12 and 380 last year.

Lifesavers conducted 7517 preventative actions at the 17 surf club-patrolled beaches last year, compared with 6376 in 2012-13.

"Prevention is better than cure, and the focus is prevention. We have been very strong on this recently, and the proof is in the pudding," Surf Life Saving Illawarra executive officer Carl Nottage said.

"Our members are getting better at what they do. It's good to know if they remain vigilant we can keep people safe and have to do less rescues."

Mr Nottage said preventative actions included advising swimmers to stay between the flags, advising beach users of rips or other dangerous conditions, and bringing drifting swimmers back within the lifesavers' lines of sight.

"We put the flags in the safest part of the beach. Rather than trust your own judgment, it's best to follow the lifesavers who know the beach," Mr Nottage said.

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Prevention keeping Illawarra beaches safe