It is almost time to get ready for the holidays so the NSRI has sent out a reminder to the public to keep water safety front of mind this December.
South Africa (01 December 2022) – It is almost time to throw on your cozzie and grab your towel but before you do, the NSRI wants to remind everyone about some important water safety tips. South Africans love cooling off at the beach, the pool or even the nearest dam or river during the hot summer days so it can’t hurt to remind everyone how to do so safely.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is a charity organisation that saves lives on South African waters – both coastal and inland. Its goal is to prevent drowning through rescue operations, education and prevention initiatives.
Each year, the NSRI sends out a public safety alert to remind everyone to stay vigilant and take extra care when near open bodies of water. Unfortunately, water-related accidents increase during this time so we are happy to help spread the message.
Operating from base stations along the SA coastline, and on inland dams, the rescue volunteers are on call, at all hours, every day of the year. The NSRI works solely on donations and does not charge for its services.
“We visit schools around the country, teaching children about water safety. Our drowning prevention measures include our online training academy, with free courses for crew and the public, emergency signage, Pink Rescue Buoys for emergency flotation, rescue swimmers, lifeguards, and active patrols during peak seasons.”
The safety alert has been sent out to aid the public and the volunteers who will be watching over us all this festive season.
“NSRI are appealing to all recreational water users, our fellow South Africans and Tourists visiting our country from abroad, to have a safety-conscious mindset in and around water.”
Rip currents remain the greatest cause of drowning accidents on the coast. If you will be near the ocean this holiday season, check out this post to learn more about rip currents and how to spot them.
These are some of the team’s other tips.
- Coastal Bathers should only swim at beaches protected by lifeguards.
- Boaters, paddlers and sailors should download and use the NSRI RSA Safetrx Smart Phone Application and carry and know how to use your safety equipment.
- Anglers fishing along our shores should keep a safe distance from the water.
- Everyone should be aware of the daily two high tides and two low tides and be aware of the Spring tide that happens during the full moon and new moon phases.
- Inland water users on lakes, rivers, lagoons, swimming pools or in any body of water should approach these recreational activities with safety top of mind.
- Children must be supervised by responsible adults when they are swimming.
“One of the hardest tasks NSRI, in cooperation with the SA Police Services and the emergency services, endure is that task of telling a family that their loved one will not be coming home.
Our thoughts remain with all those families that we have shared in their worst tragedy over the years.
NSRI and the emergency services are well-rested and highly prepared to respond to emergencies this summer.”
To report a water rescue emergency contact 112 or 0870949774.
“With all of this in mind our focus, in cooperation with the public at large, is to prevent drowning and water-related accidents this summer.
We, therefore, appeal to everyone making use of water for recreational purposes to have safety top of mind.”
You can find out more about the NSRI by checking out the website here.
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