It only takes seconds for a beach day to turn into a rescue

A day at the beach is supposed to be simple: time in the sun, a swim in the sea, and the kind of moments that many inland visitors dream about when they travel to the KZN coast.

But sometimes, the ocean has other ideas.

A sudden current, a shift in conditions, or a split-second mistake can quickly turn an ordinary day into a rescue situation.

In Episode 3 of SA Rescue: Out Alive, a podcast series produced by Jacaranda FM’s sister station East Coast Radio, through its Newswatch team, real stories from KZN’s beaches are brought to life.

In those situations, lifeguards like Jabulile (Jabu) Ndlovu and Sisanda Mvuyana step in.

ALSO LISTEN | READ - How rescuers brought a trapped man down from a Durban bridge

In the latest episode of SA Rescue: Out Alive, the two women, who are from Durban’s northern townships, reflect on what it was like responding to their first real rescue incidents.

The episode also highlights the many people who help keep South Africa’s beaches safe, from trained responders to everyday people who happen to be there when needed.

Listen to these true stories in SA Rescue: Out Alive at the top of this page or just below.

This episode is dedicated to Lifesaving South Africa and the thousands of volunteer lifesavers who give their time to protect others. Their work is measured in seconds, in split-second decisions, and in the lives they save. We salute them.

If you missed it, the previous episode covers the rescue of a disoriented man who'd been stuck in the girders beneath a Durban bridge for at least two days. 

A passing fisherman in the river below spotted him and called for help. Rescue teams descended on the bridge and devised a plan to get him down safely. Little did they know they would be met with some resistance.

Listen to Episode 2 below.

Listen to past episodes via the full channel below.