All hands needed to curb drowning incidents
IT saddened me to read about the tragic incident where six Fire and Rescue Department divers died while searching for a teenager who was feared drowned after falling into a mining pond in Taman Putra Perdana, Puchong on Wednesday.
I would like to express my condolences to all their family members and also thank those who helped to retrieve the bodies of the victims.
Compliments also go to Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin who went to the scene and the hospital to help comfort the grieving family members and colleagues.
It was reported that the incident was the first tragedy involving divers from the Fire and Rescue Department Water Rescue Unit (PPDA) during a search and rescue operation (SAR). It is hard to accept considering that the deceased were trained for that purpose. I hope an independent and thorough investigation could be carried out to determine the exact cause of the tragedy and prevent such occurrences in future. For this purpose, a commission of enquiry should be set up.
There are standard operating procedures (SOP) to be followed in all SAR operations and those involved must take into account various possibilities that could happen in a body of water especially during or after heavy rainfall, where strong currents and whirlpools could occur.
The investigation panel should also check why the first victim, the 17-year-old youth, drowned in that pond and whether there are barriers or signboards warning of the danger in the area.
All those in control of water bodies on their land, including private landowners, should be responsible for providing adequate warning signs and barriers to inform the public of the dangers of these water bodies. One of the causes of drowning is easy access to water bodies and disused mining ponds.
It has been reported that Selangor has the highest drowning rate in Malaysia, with drowning incidents occurring mainly in inland water bodies.
As we are now entering the rainy season, more areas throughout the country will be filled with water and pose danger to the public. Extra caution should be taken during such times.
Drowning deaths can be prevented if all agencies and local authorities are proactive and do not wait until a tragedy occurs before taking action. In many instances, local authorities will only take action when they are directed by the state or federal government to do so. And even then, there is poor monitoring and follow-up of the action taken.
They should adopt the ISO 20712-1:2008 standard for water safety signs and beach safety flags developed by the International Organisation for Standardisation.
They should also provide lifeguards at all beaches and plans for quick response by the Civil Defence Force, Fire and Rescue Department, police and other relevant authorities in the event of emergencies.
The government should also make it mandatory for the local authorities to place personal flotation devices (PFDs) at high risk locations and recreational vessels for use during emergencies.
Parents and adults must exercise greater control and supervision over their children who are involved in all forms of water activities.
More activities on the ground must be organised to help create awareness on the prevention of drowning deaths with the support of all relevant authorities, NGOs and the community.
Education on water safety for children must be intensified since it is still not regarded as a serious matter despite some 700 deaths by drowning every year.