Update
GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Heroic efforts by members of the Sedgefield community saved the life of a 41-year-old resident on Sunday 26 November.
While others might have thrown in the towel, these four heroes put their lives on the line to save another from a sure water grave and showed what can be achieved when people stand together without hesitation.
First on the scene was young Brooklyn Boesak (13), a Grade 7 learner at Sedgefield Primary School. He saw the casualty sinking while swimming in the lagoon and rushed to his aid.
According to Wilderness NSRI station commander Mike Vonk, the boy fearlessly tried to pull the casualty up to the surface, but wasn't strong enough..
Another Sedgefield resident, Daniel Armoed, saw what was happening and came to Boesak's aid. Unfortunately by then the casualty had already disappeared under the water.
The group pointing to where the incident happened.
Without hesitation, Armoed swam down and managed to recover the casualty from the bottom of the lagoon.
"He pushed him up to the surface, about two or 3m, and, joined by Boesak, they swam to shore with the casualty," said Vonk.
At the shore another local, Piet van Rooyen, and a visiting trail runner from Pretoria, Louis Lombard, heard the commotion and rushed to assist Armoed and Boesak in pulling the casualty onto the rocks.
When they pulled him out of the water they realised the man was unresponsive. He had no pulse and wasn't breathing.
"They initiated CPR and after an estimated five to eight minutes, the casualty started to breathe and his pulse was restored," said Vonk.
By that time NSRI medics and additional crew arrived to assist and applied further medical treatment. They evacuated the casualty on a spinal board to the parking area at the top, from where ER24 paramedics took over and transported him to Knysna Provincial Hospital.
"He has since been discharged and is expected to make a full recovery," said Vonk.
Keeping yourself and others safe:
Summer is here, the beaches are packed and everyone wants to enjoy their holiday. The Wilderness National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) therefore appeals to everyone to adopt a safety mindset this season. Drownings can be prevented.
- In an emergency, phone 112 or call the NSRI emergency operations centre on
087 094 9774. - Be mindful of where the pink rescue buoys are
- Do not drink alcohol and swim
- Swim at beaches where and when lifeguards are on duty
- Swim between the flags and obey the lifeguards
- Be aware of two high and low tides every day
- Be aware and very vigilant of rip currents
- The spring tide brings higher than normal high tides and lower than normal low tides that can cause stronger than normal rip currents
- Don't venture too far from the shore
- If you get tired in the water, float on your back and don't panic - fill your lungs with air to aid floatation and stay calm
- Parents should ensure that responsible, sober adults supervise children while they are swimming
- Children on the beach should wear bright clothing
- When paddling, on a boat or a jet-ski, wear your life-jacket and use the NSRI's free
- SafeTrx app when out on the water
- Know how to use your safety equipment - a referee whistle, red distress flares and fully charged cellphone in a watertight plastic sleeve
- Always keep a responsible family member or friend updated with where you are going and your expected return time, and check in on your safe return.
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