Young man missing at sea at Blythedale beach

Photo: IPSS

Young man missing at sea at Blythedale beach

Emergency services said the search for a young man who went missing at sea at Blythedale beach would resume Sunday morning.

Young man missing at sea at Blythedale beach

Photo: IPSS

The search for a 19-year-old man who went missing in the surf at Blythedale beach on Saturday afternoon would resume Sunday.

MAN AND FRIENDS WENT SWIMMING AFTER LIFEGUARDS HAD LEFT

IPSS Medical Rescue said the young man is presumed drowned.

“Shortly after 18h00 on Saturday evening, IPSS Medical Rescue Search and Rescue division, together with SAPS search and rescue and KDM lifeguards, responded to reports of a drowning at a Blythedale beach,” it said in a statement.

THE YOUNG MAN IS PRESUMED DROWNED

IPSS said upon arrival of personnel, witness reports indicate that the man had entered the sea with friends after lifeguards had gone off duty. He reportedly got into difficulty before disappearing.

“Rescue crews conducted extensive searches, including the deployment of a UAV. Unfortunately, no positive results were achieved, and the search was suspended due to loss of light.”

THE SEARCH WOULD CONTINUE ON SUNDAY MORNING

It said search efforts would resume at daylight.

ALSO READ: Three people drowned as Cape Town records busiest beach day

KEEP THESE TIPS IN MIND BEFORE HEADING TO THE BEACH

Here are some water-safety tips to bear in mind this summer:

  • Swim at beaches where and when lifeguards are on duty.
  • Lifeguards are on duty at selected beaches between 10am and 6pm on weekends and during the week during summer school holidays. Listen to their advice and talk to them about beach safety. They are the experts. If lifeguards are not on duty, do not swim.
  • Swim between the lifeguard flags.
  • Teach children that if they swim between the lifeguards flags, the lifeguards will be watching them and can help if there is a problem. Lifeguards watch swimmers very carefully between the flags – just wave an arm if you need help.
  • Don’t drink alcohol and then swim.
  • Don’t swim alone. Always swim with a buddy.
  • Know how to survive rip currents. Educate yourself about rip currents, know what they look like and how to handle them if you find yourself caught in one.
  • Don’t attempt a rescue yourself. If you see someone in difficulty, alert a lifeguard at once. If possible, throw something that floats to the person. Then call the emergency number 112 from your cellphone. The NSRI’s Emergency Operations Centre can be reached on 087 094 9774.
  • Avoid bringing tubes and pool inflatables to the beach or dam. As much fun as inflatables are, they can be blown away from shore very easily. If a child or adult can’t swim and falls off in deep water, they will drown.
  • Drowning is silent.Watch children when they are in or near water. Do not be distracted by your cellphone or social media; you need to focus on them and nothing else.
  • Be prepared! Learn how to perform CPR.
  • Make sure you have emergency numbers that you may need saved in your cellphone. Dial 112 from any cell phone in any emergency. Or simply Google Sea Rescue or NSRI for the closest Sea Rescue station’s telephone number.
  • Check the wind, weather and tides before going to the beach, fishing or boating.
  • Tell someone where you are going and when you are due back, and make sure that they know your route, your intentions and who to call if you are overdue.
  • When climbing on rocks or fishing from rocks – never ever turn your back on the sea and we strongly advise rock anglers to wear a lifejacket and know when spring high tide is

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