Keep safe in the water this summer

The lungs are life-sustaining organs found in the chest cavity.

The main function is to supply the other vital organs with oxygen from the atmosphere via the circulatory system to sustain life.

Any foreign matter, either liquid or solid, in the airway (nose and lungs) will cause either choking or drowning.

Drowning is a respiratory impairment caused by being submerged in or under a liquid, normally water.

“The results of drowning can either be near or complete drowning,” said William Ntladi, district manager media liaison for Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS).

“One doesn’t need copious amounts of water to drown, only a few drops inside the airway.”

Ntladi added that parents need to be responsible and safety conscious.

“Parents must be safety conscious to keep their children safe during the hot summer days,” Ntladi said.

“The festive season has its own disadvantages.

“Schools will soon be closed and children will be roaming around enjoying their holidays.

“The temptation to swim in unmonitored open water pools is very high.

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“These pools vary in depth, in certain areas.

“Some areas are quite deep and muddy which act as trap zones for unsuspecting victims.

“The water current might be too strong as well for unsuspecting swimmers.”

DEMS warns parents to be aware of where their children are at all times so they do not become drowning victims.

DEMS issued the following safety tips:

• Always know where your child is and what he/she is doing.

• Keep them away from rivers, lakes and all other open water sources.

• Put a fence around your pool and keep the gate locked.

• The pool cover should be in place when the pool is not in use.

• While swimming in the pool, children should be under adult supervision.

• Ritual and religious practices in and around the rivers and lakes by adults still carry the danger of drowning. Life jackets are necessary for those entering the water.

• Cross a river using an appropriate route such as vehicle and pedestrian bridges. Do not use water and sewerage pipes constructed over rivers as walkways.

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