NSRI’S LIFEGUARD UNIT T NSRI’s Lifeguard Unit focuses on prevention and education: by educating people and equipping them with knowledge of how best to react in a dangerous situation in water, lives are saved. By Cherelle Leong
12 |
SEA RESCU E SU MME R 2020
Ockert van Schalkwyk of Station 45 (Strandfontein, West Coast) watches over the safe swimming area.
HE NSRI LIFEGUARD UNIT was launched in 2017 at Melkbosstrand in Cape Town, where the nearby beaches accounted for 25% of Cape Town’s fatal drownings. It’s a dangerous stretch of coastline with no lifeguard infrastructure. NSRI Station 18 (Melkbosstrand) frequently responded to drownings. The idea behind launching a lifeguard station was to be able to have a more proactive approach to rescues rather than just reacting. It was envisaged that having highly trained and equipped lifeguards patrolling the beaches would make it possible to react sooner and prevent a situation from becoming critical and life-threatening. Three years on, the NSRI Lifeguard Unit at Melkbostrand is proud to report zero fatal drowning incidents
