Lifeguards praised for their dedication
ALTHOUGH there have been several drownings at Cape Town beaches over the festive season, there have been no reports of drownings at public swimming pools.
Zahid Badroodien, the mayco member for community services and health, said thousands of people flocked to the 19 municipal pools. He said lifeguards stationed at the facilities ensured there were no drownings, with at least one going the extra mile to save a life.
“We opened only 19 of the 35 facilities in our commitment to continued water-saving practices, and they will remain open until the end of January.
“A few of our pools have their own water resources and this has bolstered our efforts to save our precious water supply,” Badroodien said.
The pools remained open for longer on the more popular and hotter days of the festive season.
Badroodien applauded the lifeguards for their dedication and commitment.
In one incident, a pool lifeguard rushed to the assistance of a man who was in trouble on a beach nearby.
Cameron Vannithing was on duty at Strand indoor swimming pool when he heard someone screaming that a swimmer was in trouble at the beach.
“This young man didn’t think twice about going into the water to pull out the victim, who had nearly drowned.
“Back on land, Cameron performed CPR and when paramedics arrived, he kept up the chest compressions all the way to the hospital, where doctors managed to find a pulse.
“There is no doubt that without his quick actions there would have been an addition to the number of fatal beach drownings,” Badroodien said.
The tasks of pool lifeguards are made especially difficult when patrons do not play their part. Several incidents at pools necessitated the intervention of law enforcement.
In one such incident, patrons refused to leave the pool in Langa at closing time. Staff, lifeguards and law enforcement were threatened and stones were thrown into the water.
“There are still a few weeks left before pools close and I want to encourage residents to make use of the facilities responsibly. If you are unsure of the rules, speak to our lifeguards and also inform them if you are not confident in the water,” Badroodien said. |