The quick thinking and brave actions of a 14-year-old junior lifeguard saved a man\u2019s life and landed him a certificate of bravery and recognition from the City of Cape Town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The certificate was handed to Leo Mostert, a junior lifesaver at the Fish Hoek Lifesaving Club, on Sunday 16 January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a Facebook post, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis congratulated the teenager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLast year 14-year-old junior lifesaver Leo Mostert, who was off duty at the time, rescued a man from drowning at Fish Hoek Beach. Today we recognised Leo\u2019s bravery and contribution to a more caring Cape Town. Thank you, Leo, for your heroism.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Friday 3 December, the teenager was off-duty when he and his brother walked their dogs at Fish Hoek Beach at around 17:30 and noticed a man in the shallow water near Clovelly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAt first glance, I thought it was a swimmer, but then noticed a crutch floating near the man and realised that this man had one leg, was fully clothed, and was in trouble. I immediately rushed in to assist the man. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe must have been in the water a very long time as he was very weak and non-responsive, and water was dripping from this mouth and nose,\u201d says Leo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The teenager says he called two bystanders to help pull the man out of the water and to carry him to the \u201chigh level\u201d mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe man told us that he wanted to end his life, as he lost his leg four months ago and with that also his job. He felt he had no purpose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI asked the bystanders to stay with him while I sprinted back to the Fish Hoek Lifesaving Club on the opposite side of the beach to get help as I was concerned about second \u2018dry\u2019 drowning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The teen returned with on-duty lifeguards who helped carry the man back to the lifesaving club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBeing the first responder is not easy and I had a lot of emotions that I had to deal with as this man wanted to end his life. I am grateful to the Fish Hoek Lifesaving Club that supported me with this and I would also just like to thank all the lifeguards that helped him after the rescue. I don\u2019t see myself as a hero. I noticed and I acted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The teen, who lives in Simon\u2019 Town and is a Grade 9 learner at Fish Hoek High School, qualified as a junior lifeguard in September last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He adds that he is very grateful for the unexpected award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was a pleasant surprise, as I didn\u2019t expect it and I would like to thank the Mayor of Cape Town for the certificate. This is not just my award, but also my club\u2019s award as with the coaching and training I received, I was able to use that to help someone in need. There is no greater service than that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His mom Laureen Mostert said they are very proud of him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are very proud, not only for what he did but also his modesty and for noticing when no-one else did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBeing a first responder is not easy, but he was able to assess the situation, make a decision and take control and be brave enough to use the training he received from Fish Hoek Lifesaving Club to help a stranger in need and for that, we are grateful to his trainers, coaches, and fellow lifeguards.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Laureen says she hopes more people would be vigilant at the beach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe hope that this will bring a message across that you don\u2019t have to be in a position to save a life, but you can be in a position to change a life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are all sometimes too afraid to get involved or we are just too wrapped up not to notice. A simple smile or gesture can mean the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nikki Mocke from Fish Hoek Lifesaving Club said Leo qualified as a junior lifesaver shortly before the incident occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s great that the City is recognizing him for bravery. He had just qualified as a junior lifesaver. We have a voluntary nipper programme, every week we have 250 kids from the ages of four to 14 who we teach water and beach safety.\u201d The quick thinking and brave actions of a 14-year-old junior lifeguard saved a man\u2019s life and landed him a certificate of bravery and recognition from the City of Cape 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