‘Check the weather condition before heading to the beach’

HMC swimming advisory for parents and children

With Covid-19 restrictions being gradually lifted and people heading to beaches for a dip to beat the summer heat, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has issued an advisory on how to stay safe while going for a swim. Besides visits to beaches, HMC’s ‘Safety tips and advice for parents and kids’ also apply to swimming in pools.

In its advisory, which is available on social media, HMC says people should check the weather before going to beaches to avoid strong winds and high waves that may pose a danger. Safety instructions should be followed while swimming at beaches or in a pool, the advisory states. “Always watch children closely while swimming and make sure they swim only in designated areas,” it continues, adding that children must be taught how to swim in swimming training centres.

HMC also reminds people to wear a life jacket while swimming or other safety equipment. Further, the advisory stresses the need for people to learn how to perform the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) technique in order to save others. Beaches around the country were reopened on July 1 as part of Phase 2 of the gradual lifting of Covid-19 restrictions.

While announcing the reopening of public beaches, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment had stressed the importance of complying with precautionary and preventive measures to ensure the safety of all. Among other measures, the public was advised to maintain social distancing, use life jackets while swimming and not to allow children to use equipment in play areas, besides keeping the beaches clean during their visits.