There has been a spike in drownings in the last four days, so the NSRI are pleading with the public to be cautious when near bodies of water. They issued a safety warning.
South Africa (10 January 2022) – Sadly, the NSRI has been called to several rescues over the last four days that involved fatal and non-fatal drowning accidents. They have issued a safety warning to ask people to please be cautious near bodies of water both inland and along the coastlines.
The safety alert is as follows:
“NSRI, lifeguards, the emergency services and Police, attended to a disturbing number of fatal and non-fatal drowning accidents over the past 4 days around the coast and on inland waters since Thursday.
At the same time lifeguards around the country saved hundreds of lives in successful intervention rescues at lifeguard protected beaches.
We are appealing to the public to have safety top of mind in and around water.
Swim at lifeguard protected beaches only during the lifeguards duty hours.
Parents must ensure that a responsible adult who is able to swim and is dedicated to constantly be on watch while the children are swimming.” – NSRI
Beachgoers should also keep an eye out for the NSRI Pink Buoys as well. The buoys are placed at beaches around South Africa and there to be thrown into the water where there is drowning in progress. The concept is that people will notify the NSRI of the drowning and use the buoy to keep the victim afloat until they can be rescued.
The NSRI urges community members to become pink lifesavers by reporting any missing pink rescue buoys to their Emergency Operations Centre on 021 434 4011. Your report could save a life. Should someone be drowning, help by immediately calling the emergency numbers on the Pink Rescue Buoy sign or 112 from your cell phone for help.
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