Teenager saved from drowning

GEORGE NEWS - A combined effort between crew members of NSRI Wilderness Station 23 and a good Samaritan who happened to be on the beach, Dion Kuter, saved the life of a teenager (16) who got into trouble while swimming at Wilderness Beach on Wednesday 14 December.

Kuter, a former lifeguard and an avid spear fisherman and ski-boater, told NSRI that he was standing on the beach after a swim when he saw the teenager in the water who appeared to be caught in a rip current.

Uncertain if the teenager was actually in any difficulty, Kuter swam towards him to check if he was okay and only then realised that the teenager was caught in strong rip currents and in grave danger.

Knowing that the NSRI was on their way, Kuter assisted the teenager to get free of the rip current, swimming, pulling and pushing parallel to the shoreline until they were free of the rip while also coaching the teenager to tread water, float on his back, keep his head above water and not to panic.

They reached a sand bank where they could stand in relative safety until the NSRI rescue swimmers reached them.

"On our NSRI rescue swimmers arriving at the shoreline they found a good Samaritan, 58-year-old Dion Kuter, had reached a local 16-year-old male who was in difficulties in the mid break surf line," said NSRI Wilderness station commander Michael Vonk.

"Our swimmers launched into the surf and assisted [Kuter] to bring the casualty to the beach where the teenager was treated by NSRI Wilderness medics for non-fatal drowning symptoms. The teenager was taken into the care of EMS paramedics and transported to hospital in a stable condition. He was released from hospital later in good health."

Beach safety tips

• Swim at beaches only when lifeguards are on duty

Lifeguards are only on duty at selected beaches. The times that they are on duty vary from beach to beach, so it's important to find out local information pertaining to when they will be on duty. Listen to the lifeguards' advice and talk to them about safety on the beach that you are visiting. If there are no lifeguards on duty, do not swim. And don't ever be tempted to swim on an unfamiliar or deserted beach while on a road trip.

• Swim between the lifeguard flags

If you swim between the lifeguard flags, the lifeguards will be watching you very carefully and can help if there is a problem. Just wave your arm if you need help. Share this information with your grown children, but never leave minors unsupervised.

• Don't drink alcohol and then swim

Being physically impaired in water is very dangerous, as you'll be more inclined to take risks you normally wouldn't; you could pass out or injure yourself and drown.

• Don't swim alone. Always swim with a buddy

If you are with a buddy while swimming, there is someone who can call for help if you need it and are unable to wave to the lifeguards or call for help yourself.

• Avoid attempting a rescue yourself

If you see someone in difficulty, call a lifeguard at once, dial the nearest NSRI station or 112 from your cellphone. After calling for help, try and throw something that floats to the person in difficulty. If there is a pink rescue buoy close by, this can be used as flotation until help arrives. If you do ever attempt a bystander rescue, do so only if you can swim and are able to take flotation with you. Tell someone on the beach to call 112 before you go in.

• Beware of inflatable tubes, boats and toys

Lightweight inflatables should not be used at the beach or on dams where currents and wind can blow them – and the person on them – offshore. They are extremely dangerous, and should only be used where intended, ie, a swimming pool, and only under adult supervision.

• Do not be distracted by your cellphone or social media

While you are looking after children in or near water, you need to focus on them and nothing else. Adults who are supervising children should not be distracted or use their cellphone.

• Adult supervision and barriers to water are vital

Adults who are supervising children in or near water must be able to swim. Children should not be able to get through or over barriers such as pool fences to water. Only use child-safe pool fences and child-safe pool covers or nets.

• Dial 112 in the event of an emergency.