NSRI – Strand – 22 September. A Good Samaritan rescues a swimmer in distress

Good Samaritans praised by the Gordons Bay NSRI

At 15h28, Monday, 21 September, NSRI Gordons Bay duty crew were activated following reports from NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) of a swimmer in distress caught in rip currents in the surf zone at Strand Beach.

NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene while NSRI Gordons Bay crew responded to the NSRI Gordons Bay auxiliary satellite station at Strand Beach to prepare to launch a rescue craft.

CoCT Water Rescue Network

The CoCT water rescue network was alerted.

The SA Police Service, WC Government Health EMS, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service, GB Med Sec ambulance service and CoCT Law Enforcement responded.

While responding to the scene it was observed that a man on a surf-ski, a Good Samaritan, had reached the casualty in the water and was assisting the casualty – using the floatation of the surf-ski – to keep the casualty’s head above water, securing the casualty at his floating surf-ski while swimming the surf-ski, and the casualty, towards the shore.

As the Good Samaritan was reaching closer to the shoreline an unidentified man waded into the water and assisted.

On arrival on the scene an NSRI rescue swimmer launched into the surf reaching the Good Samaritan, the unidentified man and the casualty – who were nearing the shoreline – and assisted them to get the casualty safely to the beach.

On the casualty being brought safely to the beach the NSRI Gordons Bay quad rescue bike responded with medical gear and medical treatment was commenced to the patient, in a serious condition, suffering signs of non-fatal drowning symptoms, on the beach.

GB Med Sec paramedics joined NSRI on the beach continuing with medical treatment and the patient, a male, age 26, from Strand, was transported to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The patient is reported to be recovering well and is expected to make a full recovery in the care of doctors and nurses in hospital.

Local man Johan Otto, a commercial airline pilot, who was at Strand Beach at the time, having just completed a paddle on his surf-ski, noticed a commotion where people were shouting and gesturing out towards the surf zone.
On closer inspection Johan noticed that they were indicating towards a man in distress, caught in rip currents, who was being swept out to sea.
Johan could see the casualty man trying to keep his head above water, trying to wave towards the shoreline seemingly gesturing for help, but regularly slipping under water.

Good Samaritan

Johan launched his surf-ski into the surf-zone to go to the man’s aid.

On reaching the man, about 50 yards offshore, in strong rip currents, Johan could clearly see that the man was exhausted and slipping under water.
Johan encouraged the casualty to hold onto the back of his surf-ski while Johan paddled towards the shore.
The efforts were being hampered by the strong rip currents.

The casualty man kept losing his grip on the surf-ski, Johan told NSRI, so he dismounted his surf-ski and was able to secure the casualty, holding him, getting the man to hold onto the surf-ski foot straps (which helped the situation) and encouraging the casualty to keep his grip onto the surf-ski (to be used as floatation), while Johan swam the surf-ski and the man towards the shore.
Johan admits that he too was getting tired during the rescue.

On nearing the shoreline Johan called out to bystander to come to assist him – the bystander, an unidentified Good Samaritan – waded into the water and on reaching them he also assisted.
At that stage NSRI and emergency services were arriving on the scene and an NSRI Gordons Bay rescue swimmer launched into the water where together they assisted the casualty and were able to get the man safely to the beach.

NSRI has commended Good Samaritan Johan Otto for his efforts that without any doubt contributed to the man’s life being saved.

NSRI has also commended GB Med Sec paramedics for their assistance in the medical treatment of the casualty on the scene.

-ENDS-

About the NSRI:
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is a registered non-profit organisation that is committed to drowning prevention and focused on saving lives, changing lives and creating futures for those threatened by drowning in South Africa.
We are unique in South Africa as the only non-profit organisation focusing exclusively on safeguarding lives and livelihoods in South African waters through education, prevention, and rescue operations. We envision a nation where drowning incidents are minimised, ensuring the safety of all.
The NSRI strives to innovate, constantly evolve, and extend our water safety initiatives through empowerment and visibility. Our volunteers are on call 24/7 and are reliant on donations and sponsorships.

Please visit www.nsri.org.za for more information.
NSRI EMERGENCY: 087 094 9774

RELEASED BY

Craig Lambinon
NSRI COMMUNICATIONS

Email: communications@searescue.org.za | Cell: +27 (0) 82 380 3800 | nsri.org.za

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