Death due to drowning on the increase

Three persons die daily ...

by Jayampathy Jayasinghe

Around 1,000 persons each year lose their lives by drowning due to their inability to swim in the sea or river. This is quite evident from the number of persons who drown while bathing at sea or in the rivers. A large number of persons drowned when the Tsunami hit the coastal areas in 2004. A survey conducted three decades ago had found that around three persons die daily from drowning.

According to a Life Saving expert, retired Inspector Karunaratne around 90% of persons who drowned had been males between the ages, 13 and 30. Schoolchildren become victims when they attempt to swim in the sea after consuming alcohol.

Some children come in groups and attempt to swim without knowing the danger of the high tide. When caught up in the tide they struggle relentlessly to swim ashore but do not succeed. However with the increase of population so have drowning, but little has been done to educate schoolchildren about the risks of sea bathing. According to Life Saving experts ignorance was the main cause of drowning.

Last month, three young school children under 14 years of age drowned at the Dehiwela sea, which caused panic among parents. The three children had jumped into the sea to retrieve a ball. The irony was that none of the children were able to swim.

Asked how such a thing could happen despite the presence of Life Savers, retired Inspector Karunaratne said it probably may have happened while the Life Savers were away. He said Life Savers usually work on a voluntary basis on weekends from morning till noon. He attributed rough seas as one of the causes of drowning after the Tsunami disaster. Even experienced swimmers find it difficult to swim in rough seas these days.

He said those who drown in the sea were persons between the ages of 10 -40. It happens when persons who can swim a little attempt to swim far. While in deep waters they panic trying to swim against a tide and drown in the process. Inspector Karunaratne related a spine chilling incident how he managed to save himself from the jaws of death while swimming at the Wellawatte sea.

He was swimming along with eight others in the direction of Mount Lavinia when he ran into a net of deadly jelly fish spread across the sea. The sudden jelly fish attack sent him into a tail spin.

Instantaneously he felt as if struck by lightening, his body became benumbed and he could not move his arms without pain. He told other swimmers what happened and not to proceed any further. "We saw more than hundreds thousands of jelly fish that day, but providence saved us from drowning. The chance of drowning from jelly fish attack is pretty high, " he said with trepidation.

It is revealed that young bathers who come to Mount Lavinia beach on weekends do not seem to understand the significance of a red flag planted on the beach.

The red flag is a sign that indicates rough seas, a warning for bathers to be careful. But there had been instances where drunken bathers have had confrontations with life guards while advising them not to bathe. Drowning victims also include schoolchildren who bathe in the sea after consuming alcohol.

Retired Inspector P.G. Karunaratne is a native of Teldeniya. Before joining the police he has saved the lives of several persons from drowning in his native village. Whilst serving in the police Department he had conducted life saving coaching camps at Tangalle, Ambalangoda, Rathgama, Panadura, Kalutara, and Mount Lavinia. He has a Senior Instructors Certificate from the Royal Life Saving Society in New Zealand and other qualifications.

Piyadasa Silva, another veteran Life Saver said around 20 to 30 people die each year from drowning at the Dehiwela and Mt. Lavinia sea. People who lie close to the sea usually do not talk about drowning as it happens all the time", he said. A couple of years ago an awful tragedy was reported when six employees from a hotel were drowned while going on a boat ride in the Kandalama tank.

The boat capsized drowning the Front Office Manager, the Guest Relations Officer, the Executive Chef,Chief Barman, and a fortune teller. Eleven persons drowned at the Diyawanna Oya while bathing in a popular spot. It was also reported that 14 students were drowned at Mahagalweva in Tanamalvila. A study done in USA showed that heart attacks have been a major cause for drowning in the world.

Some time ago police Life Savers played a keyrole in saving several persons from drowning. They were seen on duty at Wellawatte, Dehiwela and Mount Lavinia during weekends. Unfortunately, they are not sighted today. What has happened to these police life savers who were providing a great service to the community.

At present there are about 2000 qualified Life Savers in Sri Lanka. There is a big demand for them in the Middle East. To qualify as a Life Saver one had to pass four tests, i.e. basic, resuscitation, intermediate, and the bronze medal which takes around one year. The Life Saving Association of Sri Lanka is affiliated to the International Life Saving Association.

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Facts

Ninety per cent of persons who drowned had been males between the ages, 13 and 30. Schoolchildren become victims when they attempt to swim in the sea after consuming alcohol. Some children come in groups and attempt to swim without knowing the danger of the high tide.

When caught up in the tide they struggle relentlessly to swim ashore but do not succeed. However with the increase of population so have drowning, but little has been done to educate schoolchildren about the risks of sea bathing. According to Life Saving experts ignorance was the main cause of drowning.

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