Quick thinking and cool heads saved the life of a bather at Strandfontein Pavilion on New Years Day.
Six lifeguards from the Strandfontein Surf Lifesaving Club sprang into action when they were alerted to a man lying motionless in the water in the pavilion’s tidal pool at about 18:00. First responders Khaalid Mosaval and Razaan Mohedeen swam into the pool and found the man laying face down in the water.
They took him swiftly to the shore and with the help of fellow lifeguards Lisa Adams and Musa Cele they took him to the first-aid room. Two more lifeguards, Luqmaan Naidoo and Tanweer Absolom, assisted their colleagues to give the man CPR because he was nonresponsive, had no pulse and was not breathing.
“After five cycles of CPR, the patient began to show signs of life and regained responsiveness,” said a post about the incident on the club’s Facebook page. “According to the fire department, had CPR not been started immediately, the patient would not have survived. The swift and decisive actions of the lifeguards saved his life.”
Lifeguards prevent tragedies
The near drowning was among dozens of others, the City said in a press release, along the Cape’s beaches.
Since October 2024, lifeguards have successfully rescued 23 people from non-fatal drowning incidents, the release said, however, five fatal drownings were recorded along the coastline, comprising three bathing-related incidents and two cases currently under police investigation.
The City said all fatal incidents occurred outside designated swimming areas marked by lifeguard supervision.
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Three of the drownings occurred over the festive period, beginning with a 15-year-old at Noordhoek Beach in November. An adult male also drowned at Cape Town Harbour in December. The most recent fatality involved a 39-year-old man at Strand Beach on New Year’s Day.
Analysis of non-fatal incidents revealed that most of the rescues — 20 out of 23 — were along the False Bay coastline. Strand Beach recorded four incidents, whilst Clovelly and Fish Hoek each saw four and three incidents respectively.
More than half of these incidents involved children aged between six and 17 years.
Continued vigilance needed
Mayco member for community services and health, Francine Higham, praised the collaborative effort behind this season’s safety record whilst emphasising ongoing risks.
“The statistics serve as a stark reminder that whilst our coastline provides wonderful summer attraction, it requires a careful and considered approach,” said Higham. “I commend everyone involved in our festive season operations — staff members, beachgoers, and parents whose support of our drowning prevention and child safety initiatives contributes to one of our safest seasons yet.”
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