Emergency services encourage holidaymakers to be water safe
With the Festive Season upon us, many holidaymakers will be heading to the coast, dams and other water sources to enjoy their time away from school and out of the office.
KwaZulu-Natal Emergency Medical Services says there is always a spike in drownings and related callouts during the end of year holiday period.
There have already been several fatal drownings in KwaZulu-Natal in recent weeks.
There have already been several fatal drownings in KwaZulu-Natal in recent weeks.
KZN EMS spokesperson, Robert Mckenzie is urging people who will be visiting the province's beaches at the end of the year to ensure they always swim between the flags at designated swimming beaches and where lifeguards are on duty.
Mckenzie is also urging people to refrain from entering the water if they see someone in distress. He says very often other beachgoers who try and rescue bathers in difficulty land up being drowning victims themselves.
Mckenzie says, unless the person is a confident swimmer or trained rescuer, it could be better for them to focus their energy on calling lifeguards.
He says the public must also give lifeguards and paramedics space to work when responding to drowning incidents, especially when emergencies occur in very public areas like popular beaches.
The public can help by flagging down the responding ambulance and pointing out exactly where medics are needed.
ALSO READ: NSRI launches anti-drowning campaign
Below are 10 top water safety tips from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) website:
1. Children must always be supervised by a responsible adult, especially at swimming pools.
2. Pool nets, fences and gates must be well-maintained and working properly.
3. People swimming at beaches must only swim when lifeguards are on duty and in the demarcated swimming area.
4. Always follow the instructions given by lifeguards, especially when they tell you to stay in the demarcated swimming areas so as to avoid being caught in a rip current.
5. Anglers fishing from the shore should always wear life jackets and never turn their backs on the sea.
6. If you are launching a water craft of any sort, have your nearest NSRI base emergency number saved in your phone.
7. All craft equipment must be in good working order and the name of your craft visible.
8. Life jackets must be worn at all times when on water crafts.
9. If on a water craft, ensure all communication devices are properly charged, emergency equipment is accessible, wear sunscreen and keep hydrated.
10. Never swim after consuming alcohol.
Mckenzie says, unless the person is a confident swimmer or trained rescuer, it could be better for them to focus their energy on calling lifeguards.
He says the public must also give lifeguards and paramedics space to work when responding to drowning incidents, especially when emergencies occur in very public areas like popular beaches.
The public can help by flagging down the responding ambulance and pointing out exactly where medics are needed.
ALSO READ: NSRI launches anti-drowning campaign
Below are 10 top water safety tips from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) website:
1. Children must always be supervised by a responsible adult, especially at swimming pools.
2. Pool nets, fences and gates must be well-maintained and working properly.
3. People swimming at beaches must only swim when lifeguards are on duty and in the demarcated swimming area.
4. Always follow the instructions given by lifeguards, especially when they tell you to stay in the demarcated swimming areas so as to avoid being caught in a rip current.
5. Anglers fishing from the shore should always wear life jackets and never turn their backs on the sea.
6. If you are launching a water craft of any sort, have your nearest NSRI base emergency number saved in your phone.
7. All craft equipment must be in good working order and the name of your craft visible.
8. Life jackets must be worn at all times when on water crafts.
9. If on a water craft, ensure all communication devices are properly charged, emergency equipment is accessible, wear sunscreen and keep hydrated.
10. Never swim after consuming alcohol.