EVERY year, without exception, tragic drownings turn the joy of the festive season to heartache and tears for many Zululand families.
The sight of parents sitting at the edge of the water, hoping against hope as police divers, lifeguards or the NSRI search for missing children is all too frequent and sad.
‘The true tragedy is that these deaths are in most cases avoidable and could have been prevented,’ said W/O Rudolf Prinsloo of the police ORS Sea Borderline Dive Unit.
‘There are recurring behaviour patterns that lead to drownings at beaches, rivers, lakes, dams and at sea.
‘With a little more education, thought and vigilance we can limit these catastrophes.’
W/O Prinsloo cites the following as significant factors that lead to drownings:
• Alcohol
‘It’s a fact that alcohol and water don’t mix. With it comes bravado as well as lack of judgement.’
• Reliance on flotation devices
‘Not only are some of the plastic blow-up toys not meant to be used to support weight and can puncture easily, they can often carry a person away from the shore in strong winds. Lifeguards report the latest craze being people swimming with an empty two litre plastic cold drink bottle under each arm.’
• Impulsively trying to rescue others
‘We have any number of secondary drownings, when people who themselves can hardly swim try to rescue someone else who is in trouble.’
• Wearing excessive clothing
‘Many a foolish person jumps into the water fully clothed and wearing shoes. Gumboots will turn into an anchor within 10 seconds.’
• Horseplay
‘It’s fun in the water, but things like holding people’s heads under the water or jumping off high places can lead to tragedy. The T-jetty at Alkantstrand and commercial slipway at Naval Island are especially dangerous.’
• Crowds
‘While one should not swim alone, it is easy for children to be trampled underwater when the ocean is crowded.’
• Irresponsible parents
‘Lifeguards are not baby sitters. Children should always be supervised by an adult, and also not left in the care of slightly older siblings.’
• Inability to read the conditions
‘This means people often venture into areas they should not be in. Currents and tides are not taken into account.’
• Lack of local knowledge
‘For example, the sudden drop in depth at the Bay Hall area.’
• Entering flowing rivers
‘Especially after heavy rains upstream, places people normally cross with ease are now extremely dangerous.’
• Swimming where there are no lifeguards
‘We know how hot it can get in Zululand, and we want to cool off; but without professionals at hand to rescue, a small incident becomes a disaster. And do stay between the flags and heed the lifeguards’ instructions.’
• Swimming alone
‘Anything could happen, like cramp.’
• Swimming where there are wild animals
‘Zululand is blessed with abundant wildlife, but a croc or a hippo is not a good swimming companion.’
• Illegal fishing
‘Flimsy dugout boats used by poachers to lay gill nets regularly fill with water and sink.’
• Swimming in the dark
‘For obvious reasons, this is a no-no.’
