Wilderness lifeguards - NSRI launches lifesaving initiative for the community, by the community

NSRI launches lifesaving initiative for the community, by the community 25th February 2021

Station 23 - Wilderness Media Release

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has launched a community sponsored lifeguard project and is calling on local businesses, Service Clubs & individuals to sponsor lifeguards to work on beaches in the Wilderness area. The NSRI has launched this life saving initiative that will see lifeguards stationed on beaches over weekends and public holidays for a 10-week period, from 27th February – 2nd May 2021. The focus of their activities will be prevention, anticipating dangers and educating visitors to the dangers that they may face at the water, thus reducing the need for rescue. With a spate of recent drownings along the coastline, and the recent rescue of a local man who was caught in a rip current at The Steps, highlights once again the need for lifeguards to patrol Wilderness Beach over the weekends during the summer season.

The stretch from Leentjies Klip to the outlet of the lagoon, Wilderness Main Beach and beyond is notoriously dangerous for swimming and with the beaches opening again, there has been an influx of visitors, both local and foreign to these beaches. Many lives have been saved due to bystander and NSRI rescue response. The NSRI has also deployed a number of Pink Rescue Buoys along the Wilderness Beach, but more needs to be done to save lives. Station 23 Wilderness Station Commander, Garth Dominy says “Lifeguards will use Sea Rescue’s custom designed All-Terrain Vehicle to patrol the beach and educate the public. When someone is drowning, every second counts. Having lifeguards on this stretch will undoubtedly reduce response times, and effectively save lives. Signage will also be used to warn people of rip currents at as these develop at different locations throughout the day and to point to safe swimming areas. The community has raised concerns regarding the lack of lifeguards on the beach, and we share their concerns.

The project has benefits for the recipients of our service – the people we educate through beach safety awareness and education, the rescues performed and whose futures we give back when they thought it had gone”. We appeal to the community to support this initiative in any way that they can, either by donating or sharing our appeal. Even the lifeguards have donated a third of their time to patrolling the beach. This initiative really is an initiative for the community, by the community and we are really excited to launch it on Wilderness beaches this weekend”. “George Municipality is fully supportive of the community sponsored lifeguard project to have lifesavers on the Wilderness beach. This is a positive step to attract visitors, promote tourism and ensure the safety of beachgoer”, said Dr Gratz, Acting Municipal Manager.

Anyone can save life, but we need lifeguards to assist us in saving lives on Wilderness beaches, and we need your help to put them there. Should someone wish to sponsor a whole weekend, it will cost just R1350 to place lifeguards on the beach for a day or R2 700 for the weekend. Donations can support the local economy by encouraging visitors to come and enjoy safe beaches in Wilderness. There are also marketing opportunity for donors through recognition in media and association with NSRI brand or they can qualify for for deductions from taxable income can can attract BEE points under the SED category.

Donate now: For more information or to make a donation, please contact Wilderness NSRI Station 23 on 082 990 5955 or send an e-mail to station23@searescue.org.za. Alternatively, donate via Snapscan or Zapper using the below QR codes:

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Media Queries:

Contact: Jessica Shelver Email: jessica@searescue.org.za | Cell: 076 175 0663 OR Wilderness NSRI Station 23 on 082 990 5955

NATIONAL SEA RESCUE INSTITUTE

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is the charity organisation that saves lives on South African waters – both coastal and inland. Our goal is to prevent drowning through rescue operations, education and prevention initiatives. Operating from base stations along the SA coastline, and on inland dams, our rescue volunteers are on call, at all hours, every day of the year. Our rescue crew receives no payment and neither do we charge the people we rescue. 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. Our organisation is totally reliant on donations and sponsorships. This enables us to do the work of saving lives, changing lives, and creating futures. You can do your bit to assist. Please visit nsri.org.za for more information.