‘Drunk swimming’ Main cause of drowning: Life guards

The Sri Lanka Coast Guards (SLCG) yesterday said influence of liquor and willful ignorance of warnings had led to many cases of drowning in the sea areas of the Western and Eastern coasts.

The Department said many of those who come to the beaches for bathing do not take safety precautions.

“About 75% of those saved from drowning this year were local beach revellers, and influence of liquor was the main cause of these incidents,” Department sources said.

The SLCG said 99 people had been rescued this year alone. “We rescue those in trouble by risking our lives,” they said.

Coast Guard, K. N. P Kumara said that 14 people had been rescued from the Mount Lavinia Beach this year. “Many of these people were reckless after consuming alcohol. Some school children too cut school and come for a swim in the sea, they don’t take safety precautions, and this has become a big problem for us,” he said.

Kumara said that even though safe areas for swimming were marked by flags, many people ignored these safety precautions. “The condition of the sea changes suddenly, and unless you are an experienced seaman or swimmer there is no way that you can understand the danger around you,” he said. Head Coast guard, R. G Sanjeewa said that many almost drowned because of their carelessness. “Many don’t understand how powerful a current can be, once you are caught in one it is difficult to come out of it,” he said.

According to him, first aid is provided to a person soon after being rescued by them, and then a doctor is called in for treatment.

“We risk our lives to save people and many of them don’t understand the danger they put themselves in,” he said.