Emergency survival 101: Experts share life-saving advice

South Africans are being urged to take emergency preparedness seriously following deadly floods in Limpopo and other parts of the region, with experts warning that small decisions made under pressure can save – or cost – lives.

Speaking on 947, rescue and medical specialists unpacked what ordinary people should do when faced with floods, choking, snake bites, strokes and serious injuries, stressing that movies often give dangerously misleading ideas.

Floods expose deadly risks

Recent flooding in Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and neighbouring Mozambique has left dozens dead, including seven people who drowned at a leadership camp. The disasters prompted renewed concern about how unprepared many people are when disaster strikes.

“I wondered if I would know what to do if my car was being swept away by water,” one presenter admitted.

Kyle Nesbitt, chairperson of Search and Rescue South Africa, said motorists should avoid flooded roads and low-level bridges at all costs.

“Just a few hundred millimetres of water can change the buoyancy of a car and push it off a bridge,” he warned.

If trapped in floodwaters, Nesbitt said decisions depend on conditions. “We’ve had scenarios where people got out of cars and were washed away, and others where staying inside saved them. Every situation is unique.”

Where possible, he advised exiting on the downstream side of the vehicle or climbing onto the roof if there is a sunroof and waiting to be rescued.

Stay calm and be visible

Paediatric specialist Dr Thandeka Ngcana, who has worked in helicopter emergency services, said panic can be deadly, especially when children are involved.

“It’s important to stay calm, as difficult as that is,” she said. “Also, try to be visible. From the air, bright colours or anything reflective make a huge difference.”

She added that this principle applies beyond floods, including drownings at beaches and pools. “The brighter, the better.”

Choking, CPR and first aid myths

The discussion also tackled choking emergencies, with experts cautioning against blindly copying techniques seen on television.

“If you can see the object and safely remove it, do so,” Ngcana explained. “But the Heimlich manoeuvre is technical; you can’t just randomly smack someone.”

Nesbitt emphasised the value of basic CPR training. “Bystander CPR actually does save lives,” he said, urging people to attend first-aid courses.

Snake bites and gunshot wounds

On snake bites, Nesbitt dismissed popular myths outright. “Sucking out venom, tourniquets, shock or heat therapy – those are old wives’ tales. Don’t do them.”

He pointed listeners to guidance from the African Snakebite Institute, advising victims to keep the bitten limb still and above heart level and seek medical help immediately.

For severe bleeding, such as gunshot or puncture wounds, Ngcana said firm pressure is critical. “Put pressure on the wound to slow the bleeding. Tying off too tightly can risk losing the limb.”

A call to prepare

Both experts agreed that many deaths could be prevented with basic skills and awareness.

“Swimming is a life skill. First aid is a life skill,” Ngcana said. “Things can happen in just five seconds.”

As extreme weather events become more frequent, the message from the experts was blunt: preparation, calm thinking and training are no longer optional – they are essential.

For more information, listen to Nesbitt and Ngcana using the audio player below: