On a quiet Thursday afternoon in the small settlement of Rooiels, a Mercedes Benz caught fire. The car belonged to Carel and Mitzi van Biljon, who had owned it for eight years with the intention of keeping it until the end of their lives. Unfortunately, Carel’s recent stroke had left him incapacitated, and he was no longer able to drive. Mitzi, his wife, had taken over the driving duties and had taken Carel on a scenic drive along the R44 coast. Suddenly, the car’s engine cut out, and it came to a stop. Smoke started billowing out of the boot, and Mitzi realized that the car was on fire. Carel was trapped inside.
A beach is a place of fun and relaxation for many of us, but it can also be dangerous. That is why the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) in South Africa is an essential organization that provides lifeguard services to beaches and inland dams nationwide. These lifeguards are highly skilled and dedicated professionals trained to prevent drownings and accidents and perform rescues when necessary. In this article, we will take a closer look at the daily routine of an NSRI lifeguard.