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SINGAPORE: Although Singapore’s protected waters may appear safe, risks abound for swimmers who must pay close attention to safe practices in the water, experts said.
Discussions about the dangers of swimming in the sea arose after a forensic court heard on Thursday (March 14) that a child who drowned on Changi Beach in August last year had been swept away by strong currents.
He did not know how to swim and panicked when the water level rose and he could no longer feel the bottom of the sea.
Even if you’re a competent swimmer, you should never be overconfident, instructors said.
“We don’t have big waves in Singapore, but the rules and everything related to water safety is the same,” said Isaac Lim, Dean of the Academy of Aquatic and Swimming Safety (AWSS).
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Visitors should be aware of the many dangers posed by water activities, including the risk of drowning, said Dr. Teo Ho Pin, advisor to the Singapore Life Saving Society.
Anyone who wants to enter a body of water must also first learn swimming skills, water safety knowledge and water survival skills, he said.
He added that some important things to keep in mind include “current, undercurrent, types of sea creatures in the water, and rising tides at different times of the day.”
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Singapore’s strong currents and undertows can be dangerous, especially for weak swimmers, Lim added.
“You have strong currents that go from side to side, those that enter the coast and those that come out again, and you cannot see them. By the time you realize what is happening, you are being swept into the ocean, “he said.
He added that visitors should familiarize themselves with the area in which they will be swimming.
“They need to know the slope and the steepness of the beaches … Because I think that along the east coast, for example, everything is reclaimed land, so the beach is not a gradual slope.
“It’s a big drop all of a sudden, so people can get into trouble like that,” he said.
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Diving coach and swimming instructor Ho Ho Huat added that a safe area to stay in would be two meters from shore.
Beach goers shouldn’t be overconfident even if they’ve passed swimming tests, he said, because onshore pools are a totally different environment.
“The pools are man-made with clear water… and with close help. In the sea, there are underground currents, the water is more difficult to see … and it is also more difficult to see, ”said Mr. Ho.
He also advised against swimming in secluded areas, as it would be more difficult to get help if you needed it.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE ATTRACTED IN THE SEA
If you find yourself caught in a difficult situation in open water, it is critical to first stay calm, because panic can affect your breathing and disorient you, experts said.
The next step would be to evaluate the direction of the current. Swimming in the same direction as the current will be easier, they said.
But if caught in a rip current that moves outward from shore, Lim said swimmers should swim sideways a few meters to try to escape, before attempting to head ashore.
It’s generally not advisable to swim against the current, but if necessary, you should swim diagonally against it, which reduces drag, Teo said.
If you get tired or injured, you should do everything you can to float on your back, the experts added.
“If you float for many hours, it means that you are (giving rescuers) many hours. If after a second you are underwater, the chances of being able to rescue you are less, ”said Dr. Teo.
While in this position, you should ask for help.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FEEL SOMEONE Drowning
If you see someone drowning, experts recommended calling others in the area for additional help.
Finding a flotation device is also important, said Mr. Lim.
“Get a strong swimmer to come up to them, push them and make them hold on to him.”
He added that if the rescuer wants to grab the victim himself, he must be trained, because a struggling victim can knock down the rescuer.
