NSRI warns of rip currents after 2 baptism members got into trouble

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), lifeguards, Police, and emergency services have called on groups visiting beaches, such as schools, churches, corporate functions, and sports teams, to attend beaches protected by lifeguards, not venture deep into the water, and know the tide times.

This comes after 2 men, believed to have taken part in a baptism ceremony in Mossel Bay got swept out to sea in rip currents during an outgoing Spring tide between De Bakke Santos and Dias Beach.

Both the 19 and 63-year-olds were rescued by off-duty lifeguards attending a local endurance event. The victims were swept out to sea through the surf zone about 50 meters off-shore.

According to NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon, the lifeguards free-dived under the water to recover the 19-year-old who had disappeared underwater.

“Together, the MBM lifeguards and the NSRI rescue swimmers brought both casualties out of the water, safely to the shoreline, where, once on the beach, medical treatment commenced for non-fatal drowning symptoms.”

The 63-year-old man was rescued requiring no further medical care, after being assessed by paramedics, while the 19-year-old was transported to the hospital in a stable condition for observation for non-fatal drowning symptoms.

With the summer season approaching, the NSRI has asked bathers to familiarise themselves with the rules of how to get out of a rip current when caught in one.

Know the emergency numbers: NSRI: 112 or 0870949774.

Credit: Dream On – Pink Rescue Buoy at Cape Town beach

If you are caught in a rip current:

Don’t panic
Stay afloat by treading water – moving your arms and legs in circular movements – and using the air in your lungs for added buoyancy.
As difficult as it sounds – go with the current and stay afloat – do not try to swim against the current, it will only tire you out.
Shout for help (bystanders on the beach should call NSRI and continue to monitor where the casualties are in the water).
At your first opportunity swim across the beachfront until you are free of the rip current.
Then use the incoming waves to get back to shore.
Where NSRI pink buoys are stationed along the beach – bystanders should throw a pink buoy towards the casualty/s in the water.

The NSRI has also urged parents to ensure that their children have responsible adult supervision in and around water.

“NSRI commend the swift response to this emergency, by MBM lifeguards and by the NSRI rescue swimmers, for saving the 2 casualties lives.”