Staff Reporter
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has reported an increase in rescue activity along parts of South Africa’s coastline as warmer weather and the start of the school holidays draw more people to beaches and other waterways.
The organisation on Monday urged swimmers, boaters, anglers and families to take additional precautions at beaches, swimming pools, rivers and dams as water activity increases.
“Summer should be a time to enjoy the water safely, but increased activity along the coastline, dams and rivers can also result in more people getting into difficulty. Many water-related emergencies can be prevented by planning ahead, choosing safer places to swim and supervising children closely,” NSRI Head of Communications Andrew Ingram said.
Swim where lifeguards are on duty
He advised people to swim at beaches where lifeguards are on duty and to remain between designated swimming flags.
He also warned against drinking alcohol before or during swimming or boating, saying it could impair judgement and physical ability and affect a person’s ability to supervise children.
The NSRI told beachgoers to familiarise themselves with rip currents and warned swimmers caught in one not to attempt to swim directly against it.
Instead, swimmers should float, raise an arm to attract attention and, where possible, swim parallel to the beach until clear of the current before using incoming waves to help them return to shore.
People boating, paddling or fishing from rocks should wear correctly fitted lifejackets, while anglers and others on the shoreline should avoid turning their backs on the sea.
Rescue buoys
The NSRI also urged members of the public who see someone in difficulty not to enter the water without flotation. They should alert a lifeguard or the NSRI and, where possible, throw the person a flotation device such as a Pink Rescue Buoy.
It said parents and caregivers should be particularly vigilant because drowning is often silent, with children in distress sometimes unable to splash, wave or call for assistance.
Young children should remain within arm’s reach when they are in water, including swimming pools, paddling pools and baths, while caregivers should avoid distractions such as mobile phones.
“Water safety starts before you leave home. Check where lifeguards will be on duty, make sure everyone knows what to do in an emergency and save the relevant emergency numbers on your phone. Most importantly, please actively supervise children whenever they are near water,” Ingram said.
The NSRI advised the public to save the national emergency number, 112, and its Emergency Operations Centre number, 087 094 9774, on their phones.
INSIDE EDUCATION
