TWEED lifeguards Grace Hamilton and Lucas McLeod have saved the lives of a mother and son caught in a rip at Hastings Point this week.

The lifeguards were alerted to the two people in trouble about 500m north of the flagged area at 1pm on Wednesday.

Both lifeguards quickly responded, grabbing a tube and rescue board.

It appeared the pair had been sucked 100m off shore in the rip and the mother was desperately trying to hold her son above the water as the waves constantly crashed.

When they reached the shore, the mother was too exhausted to walk and rested for a while, requiring oxygen therapy and treatment for exhaustion and shock.

The mother was then transported to the car park and was met by ambulance officers who treated her and took her to Tweed Heads Hospital.

Tweed lifeguard supervisor Jarrad Cain said the lifeguards on duty did a wonderful job to save the mother and child's life.

"We know the majority of coastal drowning deaths are occurring when people get caught in rip currents and when rock fishing," he said.

"So if there are only two messages you remember, make sure they are - always swim between the red and yellow flags and wear a lifejacket when rock-fishing and boating."

For all patrolled beach locations, dates and times go to www.beachsafe.org.au or download the free Beach Safe iPhone application.