NSRI Drowning Prevention: Expanding efforts to save lives

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) continues its vital mission to prevent drownings across South Africa.

As 2025 unfolds, the organisation is set to expand its Drowning Prevention initiatives with new strategies to reach more communities, enhance training quality, and establish critical safety standards.

Nazreen Adams, Drowning Prevention National Project Coordinator & Interim Team Leader, reflected on the impact of last year's efforts while looking ahead to ambitious plans for the future.
"Last year, despite numerous challenges, we successfully taught nearly 900,000 learners essential water safety and swimming skills," she said. " Our commitment remains unwavering as we embark on another year of outreach across South Africa.”

With a growing volunteer base of 78 Pink Buoy volunteers and 96 Drowning Prevention volunteers, the NSRI is strengthening its educational outreach. Key partners such as High Africa Adventures in the Western Cape, Wildtrust in KwaZulu-Natal, and the Rotary Club in the Eastern Cape play a crucial role in this mission, helping to expand the reach and effectiveness of NSRI programs.
 

"This year, we are placing a stronger emphasis on the quality of our educational content," Nazreen explained. "Our goal is not just to raise awareness but to ensure that our learners truly absorb the lessons and can swim confidently after completing our survival swimming courses. We believe that hands-on experience is key to building this confidence, and we are committed to providing a supportive learning environment."

In addition to expanding its existing programs, the NSRI is in the planning stages of special projects with key partners.

Expanding volunteer involvement

Bruce Sandmann, NSRI Operations Manager, highlighted one of the primary goals for 2025: increasing the organisation's corporate and volunteer footprint.

"We want to encourage more corporate volunteer involvement," Bruce explained. "Companies and groups can donate their time, and we will train them to provide water safety education – not the swimming component, but the theoretical drowning prevention lessons."

Once trained, corporate volunteers can visit local schools and conduct water safety education sessions on behalf of the NSRI. This initiative aims to meet the growing demand for instructors and extend the reach of NSRI's programs.

"The plan is to have businesses commit to a structured volunteer program – something like four school visits or classes per month," Bruce added. "We are looking for companies willing to make a certified commitment to this cause."

Raising safety standards at water venues

Another significant initiative for 2025 is ensuring the safety of venues where water-related activities take place. The NSRI plans to develop a framework to inspect and rate venues based on their safety measures.

"We want to establish a national standard for evaluating venues," Bruce said. "This will involve creating a checklist to assess the safety of events, locations, and facilities, ultimately providing them with a rating – similar to how hotels are rated for quality."
By setting clear safety standards, the NSRI hopes to improve accountability and reduce the risk of drowning incidents in recreational and educational water environments.

A collective commitment to saving lives

Through these initiatives, the NSRI remains steadfast in its mission to prevent drownings and create a safer environment for everyone who enjoys South Africa's beautiful waters. With continued dedication from volunteers, corporate partners, and community members, the organisation is poised to make an even greater impact in 2025 and beyond.