Roan Strydom, NSRI Gordons Bay duty coxswain, said: At 18h18, Tuesday, 27 January, NSRI Gordons Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at the R44 Clarence Drive Lookout Point (between Whale Lookout and Grill Shack).
The caller reported that her friend, an adult female, had been swept off rocks by waves, at Lookout Point, while they were taking a walk. Her friend was in the water fully clothed and attempting to stay afloat.
While our NSRI duty crew were being activated I requested the caller to shout towards her friend to encourage her to float on her back.
NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) raised the alarm activating Police and the emergency services.
Our NSRI Gordons Bay duty crew volunteers responded to our NSRI Gordons Bay station 9 rescue base where we launched the NSRI rescue craft Spirit of Surfski.
The CoCT (City of Cape Town) water rescue network was alerted and our NSRI rescue vehicle, the SA Police Services, GB Med Sec ambulance services and WC Government Health EMS Metro rescue squad responded.
On arrival on the scene NSRI shore crew and GB Med response paramedics directed our NSRI rescue craft to the location of the female who was doing her best to stay afloat in the surf zone lying on her back but slipping under water at times.
Our rescue craft reached her and rescued her onboard where medical treatment for hypothermia and non-fatal drowning symptoms commenced.
Rescue and emergency services that were on the scene were directed to respond to the NSRI rescue base while we transported the lady, with medical treatment continuing to our rescue base onboard our rescue craft.
On arrival at the rescue base GB Med paramedics continued with medical treatment and the lady, age 47, from Kuils River, was transported to hospital, by GB Med ambulance, in a serious but stable condition. She is recovering in hospital in the care of doctors and nurses and she is expected to make a full recovery.
The lady is commended for her efforts to successfully stay afloat despite the weight of her wet clothing and her friend is commended for swiftly raising the alarm and for following all instructions relayed to her to help with this dire situation despite the panic and anxiety of the moment.
The swift response of the NSRI Gordons Bay volunteers and the emergency services that contributed to a life saved is commended.
Judge
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