GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - There have been far too many incidents of drowning along South Africa's coastline since the start of the summer. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has been hard at work all along the coast making sure beachgoers are not only safe but rescuing those who find themselves in tricky situations. The hard work that this organisation does not go unnoticed.
"The NSRI plays a critically important role in keeping holidaymakers and locals safe all throughout the year, but especially over peak season," says Pieter Twine, general manager of MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet.
"The company has been a long-time beneficiary of the MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet community loyalty programme and it's great to see how supporters continue to nominate this organisation as their beneficiary of choice because, as we have already seen this summer season, every cent is needed towards resourcing and maximising the safety of those who use our beaches."
Craig Lambinon of the NSRI believes that with adequate education and information, everyone can be safer on the beaches this summer.
"Every year we do our best to ensure that everyone who uses the beach is armed with as much information as possible when it comes to water safety," says Lambinon. "This, along with our teams having a physical presence at various beaches, is all part of our effort to ensure that locals and visitors alike have a fun, safe and happy seaside escape in South Africa."
Lambinon and his team have been sharing their advice for beach safety for many years. Below are some of their top tips.
Top tips to keep safe
- Choose a beach where lifeguards are on duty and while you are there, always listen to the lifeguard and take their advice.
- Swim between the flags. When there are lifeguards on duty, they will put up flags over a short distance demarcating the area in which swimmers should swim. Lifeguards are always watching the swimmers between these flags.
- Don't drink and swim. Consuming alcohol before you dive in could affect your ability to swim properly and you could end up in a difficult situation in the water.
- For parents – get off your phone. If you are supervising children, keep your eyes on them at all times. Don't get distracted and drawn into your phone.
- Do not go into the water to rescue someone unless you are trained and have floatation. For those not trained in rescue, call for help (Google Sea Rescue or call 112) and throw something that floats to the person in distress.
For more safety tips and advice, visit www.nsri.org.za. To become a supporter of the NSRI, sign up for free as a MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet supporter at www.myschool.co.za or download the App. You can select up to three causes that matter to you. Every time you swipe your card at a participating retailer, a donation is made to your beneficiaries on your behalf, all at absolutely no cost to you.
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