Lifesaving SA concerned about fatal drownings in KZN
Concerns over drownings in KZN last month have prompted Lifesaving South Africa to issue an urgent water safety alert ahead of the festive season.
The organisation's Dhaya Sewduth says they have recorded 10 fatal drowning incidents in November alone.
"Three of those were in rivers and the rest were in oceans. I would think that the weather is one of the contributing factors, the extremely hot weather and the heat wave, coupled with examinations coming to an end has somehow attracted people to the beaches, as well as other water bodies."
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Sewduth says a lot of the near drowning incidents, as well as fatal ones, happen at non-swimming beaches.
"I think the message is never to swim in areas that are not controlled by lifeguards, to ensure that you only swim in bathing areas and between the red and yellow flags. We have taken the Water Smart Programme that we present in schools. That particular programme has been written around the Grades 4 to 6 life skills orientation subject.”
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