The mass rescue occurred at a popular swimming spot at North Broulee Beach on Saturday afternoon.

Three men and a number of children were swept from the entrance to Candlagan Creek into the sea at tide change, about 2km from the nearest patrol at South Broulee.

Onlookers managed to drag the victim, two other men including one who was unconscious and several children to shore.

But efforts to revive the man failed.

Rescuers and later ambulance officer saved a second man after working on him for 30 minutes.

The saved man and a third man were airlifted to Moruya Hospital and were expected to be discharged later yesterday.

A Greater Southern Area Health Service spokesperson said nine children aged from 4-14, as well as the wives of the three men, were assessed and given support and counselling.

It is understood the three families were of Sri Lankan background and related.

Wollongong brothers Stephen and Michael Craig and Canberra's John and Stephen Waser were among those who pulled the struggling swimmers from the water.

Elise Waser, 22, a physical education teacher and her brother Barton, 17, provided first-aid and resuscitation before ambulance and police arrived.

"My sister and I just tried to keep everyone calm and help, but it was a hysterical scene," Barton Waser said.

His father, John Waser, said the outcome could have been different if the beach was patrolled.

"While my daughter was working on the man he still had a pulse but wasn't breathing," he said.

"But if there was oxygen that lifesavers use he may have lived."

Mr Waser said lifeguards probably would have warned the family against swimming at the spot.

He played down his family members' role in the rescue.

Mr Waser said they "just did what was needed and would do it again if people were in trouble".

But he added his voice to calls for a patrolled beach at North Broulee.

"Members of my family and another family put their lives at risk to help when we shouldn't have had to," he said.

"There should have been lifeguards at the beach and we shouldn't have been in danger."

Chris Staniforth, whose house backs on to the creek, said he heard a commotion and looked out to see a number of people trying to revive two males on the beach.

"It was terrible - one of the wives collapsed and the children were huddled together on a nearby dune."

Mr Staniforth said the creek was deceptive and people often ignored the cautionary signs. "It looks so pretty but at tide change it can be really dangerous for about 30 minutes and yesterday was one of those days," he said.

"We've been saying down here for some time a surf club is needed at North Broulee, probably in the middle of the beach away from the creek but close enough to offer help when something like this happens."

Far South Coast director of lifesaving and Broulee Surf Club president Mark McLeay said the tragedy should make people aware of the dangers of swimming at an unpatrolled beach.

"This incident occurred away from our patrolled area and by the time our lifesavers arrived at the scene there was nothing we could do," he said.

Mr McLeay said Eurobodalla Shire Council had ruled out providing additional patrols at Broulee as it did not not have the finances.

"Ideally, it would be good to have a club close," he said.

"But if there is not the money to build one then it is important for swimmers to use the nearby beach at South Broulee.

"Next season we are hoping to put up roving patrols because of the number of people who use North Broulee and the creek."