Five teenagers were rescued after being swept out to sea at a popular Auckland west coast beach – with lifeguards fortunate to still be at the club after hours when the group fell in “distress”.

The group of “young teens” were swimming near the shore at Karioitahi Beach, in the southwest of the Auckland region, when they lost their footing and were pulled out by a rip.

Surf Lifesaving Kariaotahi head of search and rescue Guy Hornblow said lifeguards at the nearby club had just finished their final patrol day of the season at 4pm on Easter Monday – and had already packed up their flags and gear – when they observed the group in “distress” at around 4.55pm.

Five people were rescued at Karioitahi Beach on Easter Monday. Photo / Surf Lifesaving Kariaotahi

Hornblow said the group of five were separated when they were pulled out from the shore, further complicating the rescue.

An inflatable rescue boat was used to first reach two people from the group that were beyond the surf, while floatation devices – including a lifeguard’s own life jacket – were passed to the rest who were within the surf line to help them stay afloat.

“Two of the patients still within the surf line were passed flotation and the third patient within the surf line was assisted by a lifeguard who swam out to them with a rescue tube,” Hornblow said.

“We unloaded the first two patients on the beach and once they were returned to the beach, we then relaunched the boat and collected the other three patients in distress.”

One of the teens was “losing consciousness” and needed medical help when she was brought to shore.

“One patient was given first aid before [Hato Hone] St John arrived,” Hornblow said.

Lifeguards from Surf Lifesaving Kariaotahi managed to successfully rescue five teenagers back to shore before emergency services arrived. Photo / Surf Lifesaving Kariaotahi

Hornblow said it was fortunate that the team was still at the club when the incident occurred – and he praised the patient for doing “everything right” by floating on her back while caught in the rip.

“The key difference on the day that made it a successful outcome was the fact that there was four lifeguards still present at the club when the people got into distress, and the fact that the patient in the most distress was able to relax and float on her back and that allowed enough time for the boat to reach her and successfully rescue her.”

St John said it responded to the incident just after 5pm.

Two ambulances, a rapid response unit and an operations manager were sent, along with a helicopter.

One person was taken to Middlemore Hospital in a serious condition.

Now that patrols are closed, Surf Lifesaving NZ has advised people to know how to get help, know how to float, take care of others and “if in doubt, stay out”.

Surf Lifesaving’s patrol season will re-open at Labour Weekend.

What to do if you get caught in a rip

Surf Lifesaving advises people to follow the three Rs when caught in a rip: “Relax, raise your hand and ride the rip”.

“Relax and float to conserve your energy. Stay calm, relax and float. The rip current will not pull you under the water and is just taking you for a ride offshore. Try to fight the urge to swim back to shore against the current; this will use up energy that you need to stay afloat before help arrives. Most people can float for a lot longer than they can swim.

“Raise your hand to signal for help. Signal for help by putting your hand up to attract attention from lifeguards, surfers or someone on the beach who can get help.

“Ride the rip until it stops, and you can swim back to shore, or help arrives. Remain floating until the current weakens. Many rips will circulate and bring you back into shallower waters closer to the shore, where you may be able to stand. When the current has subsided, and only if you are sure you can swim to the nearest point on the shore, should you attempt to swim to safety.”

For more information on beach safety and rips, visit Surf Lifesaving’s website.