Durban — Lifesaving South Africa has conveyed its condolences to the families of those who drowned at Bay of Plenty beach over the weekend and applauded lifeguards for their mass rescue efforts.
Reports indicate that It is reported that three people drowned and paramedics treated a total of 17 patients at the scene who were in serious and critical condition after a freak wave swept them out to sea. The injured were transported to the hospital for continued medical care.
The names of the deceased have not yet been released.
In a statement, Lifesaving South Africa said: “We pray that the families are blessed with the strength to cope with the loss of their loved ones.
“At the same time Lifesaving South Africa also applauds the efforts of the voluntary lifeguards, mainly from Durban Surf Lifesaving Club as well as the eThekwini professional lifeguards who performed admirable work in the mass rescue to prevent large numbers from drowning in the same incident and thousands more over the past long weekend.”
The internationally renowned lifesaving organisation advised the public to listen to the lifeguards and follow their instructions emphasising that the lifeguards are trained in their profession and highly skilled in what they do.
The ocean is a very dynamic environment which can change quite suddenly due to changing conditions such as tides and winds. Bathing areas are checked before they are opened to the public, LSA said.
Lifeguards usually set up bathing zones, away from rip currents, in the safest part of the beach and ensure that the bathers stay safe in that zone. This mitigates the risks to bathers and prevents them from getting into trouble in the first place.
However, during the day as conditions change the lifeguards move the bathing beacons to other safer zones and move the crowds of bathers to those zones. It is expected that the bathers will listen to the lifeguards and follow their instructions to move to the safe areas.
“However, it becomes very apparent that many bathers do not listen to the lifeguards and continue placing themselves at risk making the efforts of the lifeguards that much more difficult to prevent drownings.
“Rip currents are very dangerous and can sweep bathers out to sea whether they are competent swimmers or not, in a matter of seconds.
“Following the instructions of the lifeguards mitigates that risk!”
“Furthermore, we repeat the call that beachgoers should avoid consuming alcohol and going in for a swim as one’s reflexes and abilities are severely compromised when one is under the influence of alcohol,” LSA said.
Here are Lifesaving South Africa’s advisories to stay safe when recreating at beaches and inland waterways:
• It is important to know your limits. Be careful if the sea is too rough, you could be swept away. Rough seas are as dangerous as rip currents, weak swimmers can easily be swept into deep waters. If you experience strong waves, get out of the sea, or at least do not go in deep.
• Swim where there are qualified lifeguards on duty who are trained to be able to prevent drowning by identifying the dangers in the water, positioning the swimming beacons at a safe swimming point and when needed performing rescues, first aid and CPR.
• Swim between the red and yellow flags. Red and yellow flags indicate the daily safe designated area that has been identified by lifeguards and it is a safe area to swim.
• Avoid open drains and culverts, the water levels in these will rise rapidly following storms.
• Never swim while you are intoxicated. Alcohol impairs judgement and unnecessary risks are taken. An intoxicated swimmer will tire more easily, increasing the chance of an accident or drowning.
• Check with the lifeguards on duty what the surf conditions are before entering the sea. Before entering the sea, swimmers must take time to watch the waves and identify the rip currents
• Listen to the lifeguard when they give you directions or instructions from the beach.
• Avoid swimming immediately after a big meal, as this could cause cramps.
• Do not swim in river mouths or in dirty water, very early in the mornings, early evenings or after it had rained as shark activity increases in these conditions.
• Be careful of bluebottles as they can be harmful.
• Never leave a young child unattended near water and never make a child responsible for another child – not even for five minutes. Teach children to always ask permission to go near water.
Daily News