In his element in the ocean and saving lives

28 August 2015 - 09:34 By POPPY LOUW

Saving lives is all Robin Fortuin has known. The 23-year-old Western Cape lifeguard was 17 when he joined the National Sea Rescue Institute after watching its members train on the beach countless times."I thought it would be an exciting experience for me to learn new skills and a great way to further myself in the rescue field, and ultimately to save lives."It was on December 1 2013 that Fortuin's skills were put to the test when he and a colleague spotted swimmers in trouble while they were patrolling Monwabisi Beach, on the False Bay coast.The swimmers, trapped in a dangerous rip current, were being swept out to sea with every wave.Within seconds, Fortuin headed for the water.His colleague, senior coxswain Vaughn Seconds, took the lookout point, and alerted other NSRI crew members and emergency services.Strong winds caused 3m swells making it more dangerous for the lifeguard.But the bad weather was no match for his determination. Of the seven people in trouble, Fortuin rescued six. The seventh drowned.For his bravery, Fortuin was named Centrum Guardian of the Year this week.The annual award recognises emergency and rescue services members who went beyond the call of duty to save lives.Fortuin said the hardest lesson was to accept that he could not save every endangered life, no matter how much training and hard work he put in."There have been countless times when I have asked myself what I could have done better. But I did the best I could and it makes me feel happy that the six lives I saved have another chance at life, but the one life that was lost will always, always be with me."..

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