By STAFF REPORTER
Two life-saving devices will be installed at Grey Dam after a 16-year-old boy drowned in Grey Dam last Tuesday, 18 January.
In the past ten years, at least eight people – four children – have drowned in the dam.
The flotation device, called a “Pink Rescue Buoy”, is mounted on a pole next to the water. In the event of somebody in the water requiring assistance, bystanders should collect the buoy from the pole and throw it to the person in distress while holding on to the rope attached to the buoy. Using the rope, the bystander can pull the person to safety.
Bystanders should not get into the water.
These devices mustn’t be used as toys or stolen, as life-saving opportunities may
be missed. If anybody is spotted tampering with the devices, they should be educated about
their importance. If that does not stop their actions, they should be reported to a community
leader, law enforcement or security personnel.
The devices are produced and provided by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and placed at popular swimming areas as part of a national initiative run by the NSRI. This initiative was facilitated locally by Makhanda’s South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), the National Research Foundation (NRF) business unit.
