On Monday 2 January 2017, just before 5:30pm North Wollongong surf lifesavers successfully rescued four swimmers near the rocks at North Wollongong Beach.

The incident occurred with a man slipping off the rocks, with his friends going to assist and also getting into trouble attempting to rescue him themselves.

Members of Patrol 4 were packing up after finishing an IRB training session when alerted to an incident at the northern end of the beach.

Lachlan Sweeney grabbed a rescue tube and swam out while Kieran McKay followed soon after on a rescue board.

Patrol Captain Kevin Ryan launched an IRB with Lachlan Kimberley and the help of some bystanders.

A group of surfers were assisting keeping the four swimmers afloat, but they were unable to return to shore due to a strong  ripcurrent near the rocks.

It became apparent that one man was losing consciousness and lifesavers prioritised his safety and lifted him into the IRB.

Once back on shore the trio administered oxygen to the man with the help of Paul Hanrahan while Chloe Burke called for assistance.

Sweeny safely returned two of the struggling swimmers to the beach before Ryan and Kimberley picked up the last remaining swimmer in the IRB.

Oxygen therapy was administered to the two other swimmers once returned to shore, which noticeably helped the situation.

Ryan instructed his patrol members to drop the flags and  the public was asked to leave the water as most lifesavers were assisting the four swimmers and their families.

Once paramedics arrived the swimmers were assessed and transported to hospital with all of them making full recoveries.

This rescue highlights teamwork and assertiveness shown by patrol four to save the lives of these beachgoers.

The best way to reduce risk at the beach is to swim at a patrolled beach between the red and yellow flags.

Full list of surf lifesavers involved: Kevin Ryan, Kieran McKay, Lachlan Kimberley, Paul Hanrahan, Lachlan Sweeny, Chloe Burke, Sian Bourke, Eliza Gottaas-Healey, Timothy Tapia, Brittany Tapia, Helen Tapia and Michel Tapia.