WILDERNESS NEWS - Drowning is a major cause of preventable deaths and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is committed to drowning prevention initiatives around the country.
In another lifesaving initiative called Zero to Hero, NSRI Wilderness Station 23 is recruiting and training lifeguards from disadvantaged communities to patrol local beaches this summer.
The aim is to make this a continuous initiative and train 20 new lifeguards every year.
"The aim of the Zero to Hero initiative is to ensure that access to training and employment as lifeguards is available to everyone - specifically disadvantaged communities who have not previously been able to access training due to historical and socio-economic barriers," said Station 23's commander, Garth Dominy. "As an organisation, we strive to make a positive impact in our communities that we live and serve in. We want a better shared and safer future for everyone - this lifesaving initiative aims to achieve that."
The objective is to recruit and train lifeguards by offering an intensive three- to four-week training programme. No previous experience is required and successful candidates will receive an internationally recognised qualification, lifeguard clothing package and be able to apply for seasonal employment opportunities through both the NSRI and local municipalities.
The vision is to run the programme in different communities. The first phase of the project will be aimed at residents who live in Touwsranten, Kleinkrantz, Wilderness and Wilderness Heights, with employment opportunities on Wilderness beaches later this year.
What you need to apply:
- You need to be a competent swimmer;
- You have to be 18 years or older;
- Live in the above-mentioned areas;
- You have to be available for full-time training during September and October.
"The course will be offered at no charge to the candidates as it is important that there are no financial barriers to those who are interested," said Dominy.
All training materials, transport, clothing, and examination fees will be supplied and in return, lifeguards will be expected to volunteer some of their time as well as having the opportunity for paid employment.
Anyone who in interested in this opportunity can register at the open day in Touwsranten on Saturday 11 September.
Cost
Although free to the participants, the cost to train a lifeguard will be R2 500 per person. Sea Rescue is appealing to the local and surrounding community to support this community initiative. "We are immensely grateful to Glenwood House Parents Association, who has already sponsored funds to train two lifeguards this year," said Dominy.
Community-funded lifeguard project
Earlier this year, George Herald reported on a project where the local NSRI initiated a community-funded preventative lifeguarding project which saw local community members and businesses generously sponsor the cost of Sea Rescue lifeguards on Wilderness beach.
"During the project, Sea Rescue tested new ideas, focusing on prevention," said NSRI lifeguard manager, Mike Wood. "We used extensive signage to warn the public of hazards and relied on the use of VHF radios, quad bikes and Sea Rescue's custom designed all-terrain vehicle to cover a wide area of beach using very few lifeguards. We spent a lot of the time educating the public, warning of rip currents and advising them how to keep safe on the beach."
The project was extremely successful with no drowning incidents in Wilderness during the 10-week period. A full report on this project is available on the NSRI Station 23 Facebook page.
As the weather starts to warm up and our beaches get busier, NSRI plans to resume the community-sponsored weekends in Wilderness, employing both existing local lifeguards and those newly trained in the Zero to Hero programme.
For more information, to support either the Zero to Hero Initiative or the community-funded lifeguard project, please contact Wilderness NSRI Station 23 on 082 990 5955 or send an e-mail to station23@searescue.org.za.
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