How NSRI and Scouts are training youth to prevent drowning

Youth step up to save lives as NSRI and SCOUTS programme tackles drowning risks in Western Cape communities. A partnership between theNational Sea Rescue Institute(NSRI) andSCOUTS South Africais placing young people at the centre of efforts to reduce drowning incidents in the Western Cape, combining lifesaving training with pathways into future careers. The initiative comes amid ongoing concern over water safety, with South Africa recording about 1,400 drowning deaths annually, nearly a third involving children.

Recent incidents in the Western Cape have continued to highlight the risks, particularly among inexperienced swimmers. Through the Scouts’ Scouting-in-Schools programme, about 335 volunteer Scout leaders recently received training in water safety and survival swimming. Of those, 192 have committed to continuing with NSRI programmes, moving from basic exposure to active participation in structured lifesaving development.

The programme creates a clear pipeline, from foundational water safety skills to roles such as survival swimming instructors, lifeguards and, potentially, volunteer rescue crew, aligning with broader efforts to strengthen drowning prevention. NSRI honorary life governor Keith Burchell said the initiative was designed as a long-term intervention. “We wanted to create a pathway for young people to come into the NSRI, whether as volunteers, lifeguards or even future crew.

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What we are seeing now is that pathway coming to life,” he said. He added that the programme is already helping participants overcome fear in the water, a key barrier to safety in many communities. Project manager Tasmin Kriel said the collaboration is about both prevention and opportunity.

“This is about exposing young people to opportunities they’ve never had before. It creates a journey, from learning to swim, to volunteering, and potentially to a career in lifeguarding,” she said. “At the same time, they take the water safety knowledge back into their communities, helping to prevent drowning and keep others safe.”

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