The Knysna Plett-Herald was invited to accompany them on their rescue training.
On Wednesday, November 19 they simulated a vessel capsizing in The Heads with the casualties reported to be in and around the Coney Glen area.
The Knysna NSRI station commander, Jerome Simonis explained that after receiving an emergency call, they launched all three of their rescue craft Coloupress Rescuer, Jaytee III and Spirit of KYC. "We immediately sent our Surf 420 (KYC) in as close as possible to the shoreline and deployed two rescue swimmers to the beach with a waterproof swimming box, fitted with a handheld VHF radio and some basic First Aid equipment. The swimmers proceeded to the scene where they immediately spotted the first 'casualty' lying on the beach at Coney Glen. We then got another five rescue swimmers ready to swim ashore with medical gear and our floating Stokes basket stretcher. Our 5.5m RIB JayteeIII deployed the swimmers as close as they could to the shore.
"At this time the team had a report from the rescue swimmers on shore, who had triaged the 'casualty' on the beach. The report was that the casualty had suffered a fractured femur and would need splints to stabilise the broken leg. Our rescue swimmers also quickly ascertained that there was another 'casualty' still unaccounted for. Two crew members on shore were sent to search for the second 'casualty'. Whilst doing a sweeping shoreline search, Spirit of KYC located the second 'casualty'. We immediately sent in two more rescue swimmers, also with a swimming box, to the 'casualty' located on the rocks in a precarious position."
Simonis explained that when the swimmers reached the scene, they found the 'casualty' to be 'unconscious' and not breathing, but with a weak pulse. "They commenced CPR."
By that time the first 'casualty' at had been stabilised and secured onto the floating stretcher and was ready to be swum back out to the waiting vessel to be taken back to base to receive further treatment. Four rescue swimmers swam the floating stretcher with the casualty out to the 8.5m RIB (Colourpress Rescuer) and the remaining crew moved to the second 'casualty' to assist with advanced medical treatment.
Once the first 'casualty' was onboard the rescue vessel, he was taken off the floating stretcher onto the spinal backboard and the floating stretcher was swum back to shore by three swimmers to be able to extract the second 'casualty', who was in a critical condition. He was secured to the floating stretcher and swum to Jaytee. Once on board, CPR efforts continued until he was transferred into a waiting ambulance.
"We train in various areas around Knysna, trying our best to simulate possible rescue scenarios we might come across. In preparation for the holiday season, we have recently had exercises at the Green Hole, Railway Bridge, Coffin Bay, Island Rock and Buffalo Bay. Exercises generally last around an hour to an hour-and-a-half. The first Wednesday of every month is reserved for maintenance on boats and the base," Simonis said.
NSRI volunteers transfer a 'casualty' from Jaytee III to Colourpress Rescuer during a training operation.
The first 'casualty' in a recent NSRI training exercise is transferred to Jaytee III.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: CHRISTO VERMAAK, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD JOURNALIST
'We bring you the latest Knysna, Garden Route news'
