The NSRI’s Pink Rescue Buoy Project has saved 200 lives! This past weekend, the 200th and 201st people to be rescued with the help of a Pink Rescue Buoy took place at the Clovelly corner of Fish Hoek beach.

The NSRI’s Pink Rescue Buoy Project

CEO of the NSRI, Mike Vonk says a young man and his father were rescued. He says the rescue of the duo from a rip current at Fish Hoek beach on Saturday, where a bodyboard and a Pink Rescue Buoy were used, marks the 200th successful rescue of a person in danger of drowning that they know of.

200 Lives have been saved

The National Sea Rescue Institute launched its Pink Rescue Buoy initiative in 2017. Since then, over 200 lives have been saved. Vonk says the Pink Rescue Buoy project has been a game-changer regarding community involvement in water safety. He says each Pink Buoy serves as a symbol of safety, providing a lifeline to those in distress. At the same time, it raises awareness about the dangers of water.

The Pink Buoy serves as a symbol of safety

The organization’s Communications Manager, Andrew Ingram also emphasised the importance of public awareness and the role of untrained people in the initiative’s success.

“The Pink Rescue Buoy is effective because it enables ordinary people to make a difference,” Ingram added.

 

Key Metrics of the Pink Rescue Buoy:

200 people we know of were rescued with a Pink Buoy
151 adults we know of were rescued with a Pink Buoy
49 children we know of were rescued with a Pink Buoy
127 males we know of were rescued with a Pink Buoy
56 females we know of were rescued with a Pink Buoy
165 casualties who needed a Pink Buoy
32 rescuers who needed the Pink Buoy

130 people, in 100 instances, needed the Pink Buoy because of rip currents

26 of the rescuers who used the Pink Buoy had training to perform this type of rescue.

Ingram said, “Time is critical in any drowning situation, and having these buoys available means that anyone nearby can assist without putting themselves in unnecessary danger.”