Teach water safety, safe rescue skills in schools — NGOs

KUALA LUMPUR: In light of the increasing drowning cases across the nation since the start of the new year, several non-governmental organisations are pressing for the need to teach water safety and safe rescue skills in schools.

Statistics from the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department show that nearly 700 people drown every year in water-related activities.

As recent as March 17 this year, eight children aged between nine and 12 were swept by strong currents while fishing at the Sungai Selangor river in Bukit Beruntum. One of them survived, while seven drowned.

A global report on drowning by the the World Health Organisation indicates that the main risks of drowning include lack of water safety awareness and risky behaviour around water such as swimming alone.

According to Life Saving Society Malaysia Training, Safety and Health chairman Geh Thuan Tek, although learning how to swim is crucial, it is more important for children to know how to survive in case of emergencies, such as being swept away by strong currents.

“If someone you know, for example, is getting swept away by swift currents in the river, you do not necessarily need to jump in to help save the victim.

“Water safety and safe rescue skills will teach you that a long stick or branch can be used to bring victims near the river bank to safety without endangering the rescuer,” he told Bernama yesterday.

Geh said apart from sticks, very basic materials and containers can be used as life-saving flotation devices such as plastic covers, pails or five-litre empty containers.

“Another example is, 1.5 litres and 500 millilitre empty water bottles can be taped together and is perfect to be used as a flotation device in water emergency situations,” he said. - Bernama