The Royal Dutch Rescue Society (KNRM) runs entirely on donations, and Venturn is proud to call itself a donor. Since 2008, we have donated a percentage of our sales to the KNRM station in Hansweert. Together with other donors, we ensure that rescue operations can continue.
New colleagues
At Venturn we have a tradition where we like to immerse new colleagues in the water. Three times a year a group goes to the KNRM station in Hansweert to get acquainted with the volunteers and the work they do. On March 25, four new colleagues were literally thrown overboard and then rescued from the water.
About KNRM
During the visit to the KNRM station in Hansweert, the Young Professionals were given a presentation about KNRM. The presentation explained the origins of the organization, how volunteers work, the equipment used and the number of rescue operations that the KNRM has carried out. Great moments were shared about the rescues that ended well, as well as situations with less positive outcomes. KNRM volunteers deal with life-or-death situations. It is a moment of realization that the work of a KNRM volunteer is not for everyone, because you can end up in intense situations.
The timer is ticking
After the presentation, our Young Professionals got the hoist themselves into KNRM survival suits. These waterproof suits are equipped with several useful gadgets needed during a rescue operation. They allow one to stay afloat on the water, meaning the wearer can survive on the water for up to 12 hours.
“The survival suits are custom-made for KNRM volunteers, which was also the reason why my suit was not as waterproof as it should be.” – Luuk
While the Young Professionals struggled to put them on, the rescuers slipped smoothly into their personal suits. When the pager goes off, rescuers can arrive at the station within 10 minutes, change and take off. These Young Professionals still need to practice putting on the survival suits quickly.
In to the water
It was time to get on the boat and face the waters of the Schelde. The boat raced across the water at high speed to the training water, where the Young Professionals jumped into the water in pairs, only to watch the boat leave again.
“There you lie in the cold water, knowing that you will soon be rescued from the water again. I can’t imagine what kind of panic someone must be in when they are really in distress, and what happiness they must feel seeing this boat.” – Luuk
For KNRM volunteers, this is a familiar exercise. After a short search, the boat reappeared from the darkness and the drowning people were pulled from the water. Despite having a light on their survival suit, the drowning victims were still poorly visible in the dark. After the exercise, the group returned to the KNRM station, where the evening was completed.
Renewed view
With these exercises we want to make our colleagues aware of the voluntary commitment of the KNRM rescuers. These people are committed to saving lives, even when conditions are far from ideal. They do this completely voluntarily and depend on donations. They are real heroes!
