‘Sea Rescue’ might be in the name, but many NSRI rescue bases are also called on to assist with water-related emergencies inland.
It’s a little-known fact that the NSRI has six inland bases situated throughout the country: Station 22 (Vaal Dam), Station 25 (Hartbeespoort), Station 27 (Gauteng), Station 35 (Witbank), Station 38 (Theewaterskloof), and Station 51 (Gariep Dam). Yet even coastal bases are called on at times to assist with inland rescues, whether due to flooding or water-sport enthusiasts and swimmers getting into trouble. In fact, in 2022, the NSRI responded to 86 inland rescues and has responded to 74 in 2023 to date.
On 21 October, Station 15 (Mossel Bay) was called out to the most recent inland rescue operation, when a group of 83 employees of a local business were stranded and could not return home after work following the flooding of the Brandwag River at Geelbeksvlei.
In collaboration with other rescue and emergency services, the Mossel Bay crew were able to secure 83 adults into life-jackets and ferry them across the river in relays using four rescue craft, where they could then take arranged transport home.
“I would say we probably respond to about three inland callouts per year, though we expect this to increase as we have noticed significant changes in our weather patterns,” says Station 15 commander JC Roos. “We have various rivers around Mossel Bay, including the Gouritz, Groot Brak, Klein Brak, Brandwag and Hartenbos rivers, all with inhabitants on their shores and people using them for recreational purposes. Many people underestimate inland water and think that the same safety precautions that apply to oceans don’t apply inland – rivers and dams are typically quite tranquil, creating an illusion of safety. But this can have devastating consequences. We’ve had numerous drownings in some of our rivers and also in some freshwater dams. Combine heavy rainfall with high tides, and these areas are easily flooded.”
Swiftwater rescue training has long been a part of the NSRI’s training repertoire. Still, the importance of this skill has been brought home by the rising incidents of flooding, such as the floods in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng last year, as well as in Stanford, Hermanus, in September this year.
Climate change has been linked to an increase in extreme weather events around the globe, and it’s been predicted that this will bring an increase in storms and floods in South Africa.
“Unlike sea and inland dam rescues, which occur somewhat regularly, swift-water rescues are sporadic. There may not be any for years – then, many,” says NSRI training manager Graeme Harding. “Which is why we always need to be ready.”
Using innovative techniques and simulated scenarios, the NSRI trains volunteers according to the highest international standards for swift-water rescue, focusing on problem-solving with limited resources.
“This is probably the best swift-water training conducted in South Africa,” says JC.
Some of the rescue protocols practiced include how to swim in various currents, live-bait swimming (entering the water to secure someone while tethered to shore by a rope attached to a rescue belt), and how to rig z-drag lines to lift someone out of the water.
Rest assured, even though we may be facing more extreme weather patterns, the NSRI is well-equipped, well-prepared, and on standby to respond to all inland water-related emergencies.
The power of preparedness
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