FEM-sponsored Pink Buoys: Lifesaving heroes with 23 rescues and counting

On 26 October 2024, Kleinmond Main Beach, Western Cape, saw two lifesaving rescues thanks to a Pink Rescue Buoy (PRB) sponsored by the Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company (FEM).

This buoy, part of the NSRI's drowning prevention programme, was vital in saving the lives of two men caught in the same dangerous rip current.

The first incident occurred at 16:15 when a man, around 40, was pulled out by the current. A bystander quickly used the FEM-sponsored PRB to reach him, providing essential flotation and bringing him safely to shore. Just two hours later, at 18:26, the buoy was used again when a 24-year-old was swept out. Another bystander, driven by instinct, used the buoy and guided the man back to safety. These rapid responses highlight the PRBs' crucial role in empowering beachgoers to act decisively during emergencies.

"Initially, when the Pink Rescue Buoy programme started in 2017, they were a novelty. People needed to learn about the program, and far too many were stolen," said Andrew Ingram, NSRI Communications Manager. "Over the last seven years, we have put almost 2000 pink buoys out at rivers, dams, and on the beaches. Communities now know what they are for, how to use them, and most importantly, that they save lives. This has resulted in a drop in theft and an exponential rise in awareness of the program."

Since its inception, the Pink Rescue Buoy Programme has facilitated 196 recorded rescues. FEM-sponsored PRBs alone have been instrumental in saving 23 lives to date, with five of these rescues occurring in 2024. "FEM's sponsorship has been fantastic," Andrew noted. "Almost from the beginning, they sponsored Pink Buoys, allowing us to put them where we believe they are most needed. And when we can contact them saying that one of the Pink Buoys they sponsored has saved a life, that's special."

Photos by Geoff Garrett

Zandile Gcabashe, FEM's Corporate Social Investment Coordinator, shared insights into FEM's motivation for supporting this lifesaving initiative: "Health and safety are at the core of our business, which motivated us to partner with NSRI. We highly value our partnership with NSRI as it aligns with our strategic vision of promoting health and safety."

The effectiveness of the PRBs lies in their simplicity and visibility. The buoys are designed for easy use, even by untrained individuals, providing crucial flotation to rescuers and persons in distress. "Our advice to someone who wants to help a person in danger of drowning," Andrew said, "is to call for help before entering the water, and do not go into the water with a Pink Buoy if you are a weak swimmer. Most importantly, never go into the water to help someone if you do not have some flotation to take with you; instead, call for help, throw floatation to the person, and keep an eye on them until rescue swimmers or lifeguards arrive."

Thanks to FEM's generous sponsorship and the widespread awareness of the PRB programme, Kleinmond's events on 26 October were transformed from potential tragedies into stories of hope and survival.