The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is appealing to beachgoers to prioritise their safety this summer season.
Speaking to VOC News, Andrew Ingram of the NSRI confirmed that lifeguards are only on duty at selected beaches, stressing that parents must always be vigilant.
“Parents and caregivers should watch their children in or near water. If they are having difficulty, there will be no splashing or call for help. When in the water, an adult should be within arm’s reach of their child. It is safest to go into the water and to swim in areas that lifeguards patrol.
Ingrams further emphasised the importance of having emergency numbers at hand, in case of any emergency at the beach.
“112 is the general emergency number in South Africa. If you dial 112, you can ask to be put through to the Police, Ambulance, Fire and Rescue or NSRI/Sea Rescue. 087 094 9774 is the National Sea Rescue Institute’s Emergency Operations Centre direct line. Any NSRI resource in the country can be activated from this centre,” he added.
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