Latest news with #LifesavingSouthAfrica
eNCA
5 days ago
- Health
- eNCA
Incidents of drowning rising in SA
DURBAN - The World Health Organization estimates that almost 300 000 people drown every year. Children under the age of five are at greater risk. Friday marked World Drowning Prevention Day and Lifesaving South Africa president, Dhaya Sewduth spoke to eNCA about water safety.
The Herald
5 days ago
- Health
- The Herald
Drowning rates in SA go up while global figures drop, says Lifesaving SA
Drownings in South Africa are increasing, bucking the global trend where the rates are dropping, Lifesaving South Africa (LSA) warned in a statement to mark World Drowning Prevention Day on Friday. 'While global drowning deaths have dropped by 38% over the past two decades, South Africa's rates are rising,' the federation said, adding the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated at least 2,700 drowning deaths a year, with children under five at the greatest risk. Africa has seen a 3% decline, while South Africa has struggled to deal with the threat. WHO statistics showed at least 1,600 drowning deaths a year in the country, but these figures did not include deaths from flooding disasters, LSA said. 'In South Africa the crisis is worsened by climate change and flooding disasters, such as those in the Eastern Cape in June, and preventable risks such as unsafe farm dams and canals, inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure and traditional baptism ceremonies at rivers and along coastline.'
TimesLIVE
5 days ago
- Health
- TimesLIVE
Drowning rates in SA go up while global figures drop, says Lifesaving SA
Drownings in South Africa are increasing, bucking the global trend where the rates are dropping, Lifesaving South Africa (LSA) warned in a statement to mark World Drowning Prevention Day on Friday. 'While global drowning deaths have dropped by 38% over the past two decades, South Africa's rates are rising,' the federation said, adding the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated at least 2,700 drowning deaths a year, with children under five at the greatest risk. Africa has seen a 3% decline, while South Africa has struggled to deal with the threat. WHO statistics showed at least 1,600 drowning deaths a year in the country, but these figures did not include deaths from flooding disasters, LSA said. 'In South Africa the crisis is worsened by climate change and flooding disasters, such as those in the Eastern Cape in June, and preventable risks such as unsafe farm dams and canals, inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure and traditional baptism ceremonies at rivers and along coastline.'
IOL News
11-07-2025
- IOL News
Cameron Alexander's heroic rescue of a child from drowning at Baggies Beach
Heroic fisherman Cameron Alexander rescued a child from drowning at Baggies Beach, highlighting the urgent need for water safety awareness and the vital role of quick action in emergencies. Image: Supplied A heroic fisherman, Cameron Alexander, saved a child from drowning at Baggies Beach in KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday afternoon, highlighting the urgent need for water safety awareness. Lifesaving South Africa (LSA) voluntary president Dhaya Sewduth said that at approximately 2pm, Alexander, who recently moved to the South Coast from Pretoria, was fishing at an unpatrolled beach when he noticed a body floating in the water. 'Cameron swam out in strong sea swell conditions, rescued the child from the water, and brought him to shore,' he said. Sewduth said that as a trained first aider and responder, Alexander's instincts kicked in, and he began performing the necessary resuscitation on the child until the ambulance arrived. 'The child was handed over to the paramedics for further checks and taken to the hospital,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ It was very fortunate that Alexander was at the beach at that time and that he is a strong swimmer, trained in first aid, said Sewduth. 'Had he not been there, not been able to make the 50-metre swim or so in the strong sea surge, the young boy could have been a fatal statistic,' emphasised Sewduth. The organisation saluted the brave actions of Alexander. 'Lifesaving South Africa will certainly recommend the name of Cameron Alexander for a Bravery Award.' Lifesaving South Africa once again urged bathers to swim only where lifeguards are on duty and for parents and caregivers to always supervise children. As South Africa gears up to observe World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25, 2025, endorsed and actioned by the World Health Organisation, LSA is placing the spotlight on the urgent need for drowning prevention education in the country. Sewduth said that the first quarter of 2024 witnessed the tragic drowning deaths of Latoya Temilton, Sibusiso Sibiya, and Siphamandla Peterson during school excursions, underscoring the critical need for enhanced water safety measures. He said drowning is a preventable tragedy, and the organisation has been at the forefront of this mission since 1913. 'Through its WaterSmart programme, LSA has reached over a million learners across more than 6,000 schools since its inception. Partnering with the Department of Education and DHL, the WaterSmart programme educates children about the dangers of water, equipping them with essential skills to manage risks and maintain constant vigilance around water bodies,' said Sewduth. In addition to the WaterSmart programme, Lifesaving South Africa has been actively collaborating with municipalities to improve water safety infrastructure and policies. 'LSA's voluntary lifeguards, who contributed 91,700 duty hours in the 2023/24 season, play a crucial role in saving lives and preventing drownings. Their efforts significantly benefit local communities, the sporting industry, and tourism,' he noted. South Africa faces a high risk of drowning incidents due to its extensive coastline, numerous rivers, dams, and pools, said Sewduth. 'According to the WHO statistics, Southern Africa is one of the regions globally with the highest risk. South African mortality statistics estimate approximately 1,500 people die from drowning annually in South Africa, an average of four people daily,' he said.
