Amanzimtoti lifeguards save lives amid disregard for beach rules

Amanzimtoti lifesavers were forced to put themselves at risk this festive season by beachgoers who don’t adhere to warnings.

This is the word from ward 97’s Cllr Andre Beetge, who detailed one such incident which unfolded at a non-swimming beach on Friday, 29 December.

“Despite numerous requests by the patrolling lifeguard on duty at Baggies Beach at Warner Beach, which is a non-bathing beach because of the dangerous conditions, six visiting men entered the water south of the rocks on Friday, 29 December,” said Beetge.

“The undercurrent dragged them in and around the rocks in a northerly direction. Lifeguards entered the water and were likewise dragged, while two rescue boats were launched to assist. All six were successfully brought to shore in conditions so rough that one rubber duck capsized after launching from the beach to return to its station.

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Lifeguards report that they are often the subject of abuse and markedly so by locals, as people just refuse to accept that conditions at the beach are not conducive to bathing. Instead of endorsing safety and supporting those who choose to place their own lives on the line to rescue others, tourists are rather incorrectly encouraged to use Baggies as opposed to Warnadoone Beach where, although lacking a kiosk, conditions are suitable for bathing and lifeguards are deployed accordingly,” said Cllr Beetge.

In a separate incident the previous day, two off-duty lifeguards responded to an unattended child in distress in the Little Amanzimtoti River. They dived in and after resuscitating the child, the seven-year-old was handed over to paramedics for further treatment.

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He was reunited with his family who were having a picnic on the Warner soccer field. “The child was transported to Prince Mshiyeni Hospital to drain water and eliminate possible contamination from the stagnant river. Never let a child out your sight, as an incident can happen in the most unlikely of places,” said Cllr Beetge.

A three-year-old boy was hospitalised on Thursday, 21 December after a near drowning incident at Amanzimtoti Main Beach. ER24 spokesman, Russel Meiring said paramedics arrived at about 1.20pm to find the child being treated by the lifeguards.

“It is understood the lifeguards had pulled the boy from the water and found no signs of life. Lifeguards immediately initiated CPR, and fortunately after a short time, the boy’s vital signs returned,” said Meiring. Paramedics treated the boy and transported him to a nearby private hospital for further treatment.