The Port Elizabeth Water Emergency Rescue Committee, consisting of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Fire Department and Beach Office, Bluewater Bay Lifesaving Club, NSRI PE, Coastal Water Rescue and the South African Police Service Diving Unit held a water safety awareness campaign with 180 learners from Elufefeni Primary school in Motherwell.
Part of the programme included a visit to the 10111 centre in Shauderville where the learners were educated on the management of the centre. The participating organisations also had exhibition stalls where they interacted with the learners.
The Jaws of Life were the highlight for the learners. The fire department rolled out their functions and physically demonstrated the working mechanism of the hydraulics which culminated into a mock display.
Water safety was the key emphasis from all the other exhibitors and important water safety tips were given to them when they are at the beaches, dams, rivers and pools. The blue flag status was explained and they were encouraged to use the facilities that do have life guards on duty. The apparatus used by each department was also displayed so that the learners would know what equipment is also used to ensure the safety of the working team as well.
Creating water safety awareness is very important as many lives are lost especially during the festive periods through ignorance and negligence.
Whenever a call is received from the 10111 centre relating to a possible drowning, these units work in unison in support of the roles played by each other.