NSRI Pink Rescue Buoys
Saving Lives at Val de Vie Estate
Drowning is sudden, silent and tragically common, but it is also preventable. That’s why Val de Vie Estate has teamed up with the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) to install twelve NSRI Pink Rescue Buoys at key open-water spots across the Estate.
Each buoy has clear signage with emergency numbers and a location identifier. In an emergency, the first step is for the bystander to call the number on the buoy and provide the location identifier so response teams can reach the exact spot quickly. The bright NSRI Pink Rescue Buoys then serve as lifelines. The bystander can grab a buoy and throw it to the person in distress or swim it out if they’re confident in the water. The buoy provides immediate flotation, keeping the person afloat until professional rescuers arrive.
Dirk Coetzee, NSRI’s Business Development Manager, emphasises the importance of these buoys. “Drowning can happen in a blink, often without anyone noticing. Having buoys within reach gives residents, visitors and staff the tools to respond immediately. It makes the Estate safer for everyone enjoying the water.”
On why the buoys are bright pink, Dirk says, “The bright pink colour is highly visible against water, rocks and vegetation, making it easy to spot in an emergency. It’s unique to NSRI, so if you see a pink buoy, you know it’s a life-saving device and not a toy. This instant recognition can save precious seconds.” And in emergencies, every second counts.
These twelve buoys join a national network tackling a quiet crisis that claims over a thousand lives in South Africa each year and the impact of the buoys speaks for itself. Across South Africa, more than 2 000 NSRI Pink Rescue Buoys have saved over 200 lives. Each of these numbers represents a father, mother, child or friend who received a second chance. The programme’s innovation has even been recognised internationally, winning the 2018 International Maritime Rescue Federation Award.
Knowing where the buoys are and how to use them can make all the difference in an emergency, however, they are most effective when combined with other safety measures. Residents are encouraged to learn how to swim, supervise children closely, avoid consuming alcohol near water, check conditions before swimming or kayaking, wear life jackets, and learn CPR.
Parents can help their children understand that water is fun but must be respected. Children should never swim alone, always alert an adult if someone appears to be in trouble, and understand that rescue buoys are not toys, but rather are there to save lives.
Learn more and support the cause by visiting www.nsri.org.za