Chief Executive Award Winners
The Shield Award for Bravery: Peter Smith
by Phumeza Mgxashe
Simon Peter Smith, known as Peter Smith to his colleagues, is a field ranger at Silvermine, in the southern section of Table Mountain National Park.
On the 21st of January 2007 he saved the life of a man drowning in the Silvermine dam. There is signage close to the Silvermine dam warning visitors to the Park against swimming in the dam as it can be dangerous-however some people do risk it.
While going about his normal duties, Peter was alerted to the situation: a swimmer had suffered an epileptic fit in the water and was drowning.
Peter assessed the situation and jumped in to save the man, who, fortunately was still breathing. Upon getting him out of the water, Peter made sure that he laid his body in way that would prevent suffocation and gave the necessary first aid.
He contacted the SANParks control centre in Bellville, who then called for an ambulance and also notified the man’s next of kin of the incident. While medical assistance was on the way, Peter, with the assistance of other day visitors, talked to the man, urging him not to give in and assuring him that he would be okay.
This swift and calm response in a difficult situation makes Peter Smith a deserving recipient of this years Shield Award for Bravery.
