LIFESAVING SA’s director of drowning prevention, Dr Mzi Mayedwa, talks about the summer safety campaign and how to prevent drownings.

Also read: Teen’s drowning sparks safety calls

The National Sea Rescue Institute said rip currents were one of the main hazards along the coast. They provided the following lifesaving steps to escape being trapped in a rip current.

• Don’t panic and don’t fight the current
• Get out of the rip by swimming parallel to the shore
• Use the waves to help get you back to the beach
• Never swim into a rip to help somebody
• Rather throw them something that floats
• Use arm signals to show them to swim to the side
• Call for help

Emergency contact numbers:

• NSRI emergency line – 112.
• eThekwini municipality emergency response call centre – 031 361 0000. 
• Police – 10111
• Ambulance – 10177

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