As temperatures rise during school holidays, many families resort to wadis and beaches to escape the heat, which are the most places where drowning cases happen.
Drowning cases are considered painful and frequent accidents, especially in summer, which often occur around bodies of water, where people wish to escape the heat and enjoy nature, including adults and children who cannot swim.
The Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) has urged people to be cautious, follow safety measures and avoid hazards while swimming following an increase in the number of cases of drowning. Experts say there is high likelihood of drowning among children if left unsupervised.
CDAA stated that drowning incidents are generally attributed to lack of proficiency in swimming, in addition to swimming in places not designated for such sport including in agricultural ponds, dams, water canals and dangerous water bodies.
Major Faisal bin Hamid al Bakhit, Central Civil Defense Officer in Mirbat and Taqa, and supervisor of the water rescue team in Dhofar, said: “Statistics indicated that the CDAA dealt with 324 drowning reports in 2022, while in 2023 there were about 166 cases, a decrease of 158 cases, which is a positive difference that is evidence of the Authority’s role in the awareness.”
“In order to reduce drowning incidents further, we recommend following safety procedures, which include practicing swimming in designated areas. In the case of pools, they must be equipped with fixed ladders and metal handles distributed around the perimeter of the pool. Life jackets must also be provided, and the pool must not be filled completely. If it is used by children, there is a need for an elderly person to be present to monitor the children while they are swimming,” he added.
first aid
Drowning accidents are painful, especially in the summer, and drowning may not cause death if the case is rescued with first aid. First aid includes removing the injured person quickly from the water and acting wisely by ensuring that the paramedic must be familiar with swimming skills and wear a life jacket before assisting, to ensure his safety first, and then the safety of the drowning person.
As for the second step, it requires community awareness and organised initiatives to teach community members the basics of first aid and how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, as scientific studies have confirmed that the probability of survival is much greater for patients who received cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the scene of the accident before arriving at the health institution.
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