GEORGE NEWS - Five people's lives have been saved at the Wilderness and George beaches since the NSRI Pink Rescue Buoys were introduced in December last year. One of them was a teenager rescued from the treacherous rip current in front of the Wilderness Hotel.
These flotation devices are stationed at beaches, rivers and dams across South Africa to provide emergency flotation aid at as many swimming spots as possible.
Michael Vonk, the deputy station commander of Station 23 Wilderness said that, with the help of sponsors, Sea Rescue has placed 40 Pink Buoys at places between Mossel Bay and Knysna where people may need help.
Thanks
Glenwood House School donated five Pink Buoys, which have been erected at Herold's Bay (2), Gwaiing river mouth, Wilderness beach and Swartvlei beach. "National Sea Rescue Institute would like to thank Glenwood House School's MySchool supporters for their generous donation," said Vonk.
"According to the school's MySchool coordinator, Helen Marais, of the total funds generated by parents who have nominated Glenwood House School as their beneficiary on the MySchool loyalty programme, 30% is donated quarterly back into the community to local charities and non-profit organisations such as the NSRI."
Throw the buoy
In situations where every minute counts, the Pink Buoys should be used to provide emergency flotation until emergency services arrive.
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A rescuer needs to throw the buoy to the near-drowning victim and call for help. The boards that hold the Pink Buoys display the local emergency numbers. They also provide a location number that callers can use to tell Sea Rescue exactly where the Pink Buoy has been used, saving crucial minutes for responding rescuers. The boards also contain graphics that advise people who want to help to throw the buoy to the person in difficulty, as it is very dangerous for someone who is not trained in rescue to enter the water to try and help.
"The flotation buoys are bright pink so that they can be easily spotted on the water by responding emergency services. They are also unique to NSRI, and therefore, if you see a Pink Rescue Buoy off its board (other than when it is being used in a rescue), please reach out and return it to the closest NSRI station," says Vonk. "The success of this project ultimately depends on you and your community! If the community stands behind this project, lives will be saved, and the Pink Buoys will not be removed from the signs except for a rescue."
* Nationally, the Pink Rescue Buoys have been used in 10 successful rescues, saving 12 lives, 4 of which were children. Currently there are 275 Pink Rescue Buoys around the country which are either already in use or will soon be.
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