Thank you to all the NSRI heroes who are keeping us safe over the holiday season (and all year round).
South Africa (29 December 2022) – The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) lifeguards, contracted to supply lifeguarding services to the public on behalf of 6 Municipalities at 26 beaches around the coastline, have attended to over 3,000 assisted interventions, over 50 first aid incidents on beaches and over 200 rescue operations (including bathers and paddlers) since the start of December resulting in no fatal drowning accidents.
The NSRI is a voluntary non-profit organization in South Africa tasked with saving lives through drowning prevention. It operates 41 bases comprising coastal and inland stations on dams, and there are over a thousand volunteers on standby at all hours.
The NSRI is appealing to South Africans and tourists visiting our country to adopt a safety-conscious mindset in and around water.
“We commend our NSRI volunteers and operations support teams, as well as public members, Police, Law Enforcement, Fire and Rescue, lifeguards, private and Government ambulance services, Disaster Risk Management, Community support structures, Government and Provincial services and all-volunteer emergency services for their ongoing support, assistance, vigilance and service during this busy festive season for their contribution promoting safety and security for everyone,” Dr Cleeve Robertson, NSRI CEO, said.
“Condolences are conveyed to the families that have lost loved ones, and thoughts are with those families whose loved ones remain missing.
We appeal to all South Africans and tourists visiting our country to adopt a safety-conscious mindset in and around water.”
The NSRI has a few suggestions to helping them, while out on the water:
- NSRI are appealing to bathers around the coast to swim at beaches protected by lifeguards.
- Anglers fishing along the shoreline should stay a safe distance from the shore.
- Inland recreational water users should be cautious of rapidly flowing rivers and not try to cross rivers in flood and avoid crossing over low-lying bridges submerged in flood-affected rivers.
- Be cautious on lakes and dams and your swimming pool at home should have a cloak of safety around it.
- Parents are to ensure children have responsible adult supervision in and around water.
- Boaters, paddlers and sailors, including stand-up paddle boarders and kite boarders, on coastal waters and on inland waters should download and use the NSRI RSA SafeTrx smartphone application.
- Have and know how to use safety equipment, a referee whistle around your neck, wear a life jacket, have red distress flares and your phone fully charged and stored in a water-tight sleeve.
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