Mr Andries Lee, former policeman and currently the manager at a security firm on the mine’s, dream is to begin a search and rescue dive unit in Secunda.
He has been diving for the police for eight years and still does it part time when the police need him.
Mr Andries Lee in the fighting ring.
“There are only 12 divers in Mpumalanga and the police unit struggles with funding for the equipment needed.”
Mr Lee wants to register a search and rescue unit as a non profitable organisation that will be a community project.
With this project and such a unit, emergency services would be able to find people quicker, recover bodies and other things from dams and rivers and they will do anything related to water.
“I want to help people in distress and to get closure after the drowning of a loved one.”
Mr Andries Lee on his way to search for a body.
Apart from diving, Mr Lee keeps fit by training in the gymnasium daily and he also helps to manage the Dominater’s Den where they practice mixed martial arts.
He is also a trainer for some of the fighters.
Mr Lee used to practise martial arts, but needs to give his body a year’s rest after a recent hip replacement.
Diving is his passion and he described his job as a search and rescue diver as a calling.
“Research showed that over the past two years, more than 3 000 drownings were reported in South Africa and Mpumalanga was the province with the largest number of drownings.
Mr Andries Lee in the water during a rescue operation.
“eMbalenhle and Standerton had the most incidents in the province and due to the shortage of manpower and equipment, the need for a search and rescue unit is an absolute necessity in our area.”
Mr Lee’s objective is to begin this unit whereby funds will be the only means of beginning and managing the unit and to help anyone who wants to get involved with the necessary training.
“This initiative will only be in favour of our community and hase no negative impact as such.”
Mr Andries Lee is living out his passion, namely diving.
Some of the equipment needed to begin this unit, are rescue equipment including boards, tenders, flotation devices, lifting equipment and ropes, a response vehicle clearly marked with emergency lights, a tow bar and winch, a compressor on a trailer or in a vehicle to fill the empty cylinders on scene, a small generator for spotlights and emergency lights, two full face diving masks, dry suits, buoys and surface markers, lifting bags and a gazebo and a floor mat.
If you want to help or be part of this unit, contact Mr Lee at 072 335 4442 or 072 222 9148.
