Lack of qualified lifeguards, int’l warning signs send tourists to watery graves
Underpaid lifesavers at coastal resorts stand in as barmen and pool attendants to augment meagre income
Lack of international warning signs and insufficient professional lifeguards and watchtowers in coastal regions has resulted in a number of tourist deaths by drowning, warns a qualified and experienced lifesaver.
This month, a British national, Richard John (63) died when a strong current dragged him while swimming in Bentota, and similarly, a Swiss national drowned while sea bathing off Ulla beach at Pottuvil.
A British national at a tourist resort in Tangalle drowned while swimming at night.
Last year also saw a number of deaths across the island. A German national (72) drowned after being caught in a strong current at Hikkaduwa, and an Australian tourist (51) drowned while surfing in the seas off Pottuvil. A Russian (32) drowned similarly off Induruwa in Kosgoda, while two Russians, aged 54 and 28 drowned while swimming in rough seas in Negombo. A French national (42) also drowned while exploring coral reefs in Pigeon Island at Kuchchaveli.
Sri Lanka Lifesaving Association Secretary Asanka Nanayakkara told the Sunday Times that tourists tend to ignore warning signs, as the signs do not conform to international standards, with some places displaying just a board with ‘WARNING’ written, or just a small red flag.
“Most tourists are attracted to our beaches and a majority of them visit the country only to stay by the sea. Therefore, we cannot put up warning signs all over the place, and prevent them getting into the water. But it is necessary to put up international signs near shallow seas, safe and unsafe spots, tides and strong currents etc.,” he said.
For instance, a green flag means it is safe to swim, red indicates dangerous zones, two red flags means the area is closed for swimming, if the flag is red and yellow, it indicates the presence of lifeguards in the area, while an orange flag means there is no lifeguard.
A red flag with a swimmer in a white line through it, indicates that swimming is prohibited. Yellow flags indicate that the ocean is rough and that swimmers should take extreme caution or wear a safety jacket.
In areas where there is surfing, a yellow flag with a black dot in the middle indicates that surfing is prohibited in the area, and a black and white checkered flag indicates that only surfing is allowed.
There was a need to put up more look out posts or portable high chairs to keep an eye on tourists who enjoy swimming in the sea, he said adding that it was important that hotel management or local authorities put up international warning signs instead of written warnings in English.
“We have many Russian, French, German and other tourists who cannot read English, but do know warning signs. Local authorities in these areas should be more responsible,” he said.
According to Mr. Nanayakkara, most of these tourist resorts and beaches do not have qualified and well-trained lifesavers. “Most lifeguards are not properly qualified or properly attired. They do not have a first-aid kit nor rescue equipment such as rescue rings, life jackets etc. They also serve as pool attendants or barmen, while being paid a meagre salary, or none,” he said.
He said about 2,000 qualified lifesavers have left the country, as the salaries paid here vary from Rs 6,000 to a maximum of Rs 15,000. However, as islanders, they are in high demand overseas, and earn salaries upwards of Rs. 30,000.
Every year a large number of tourists are saved by lifeguards, though under-reported, he said. Tourism Development Authority’s (formerly Tourist Board) Resorts Management Director-Mi- hira Liyanaarachchi said that the Authority is in the process of increasing lifeguard units and watchtowers, with the help of the Coast Guard, Police and Navy, and putting up international warning signs in coastal zones with the assistance of the World Bank.
“Tourists can also complain to the Tourist Police, if there are no lifeguards or proper warning signs, and action will be taken,” he said.
Tourist Police Director (Actg.) Senior Police Superintendent Maxie Procter said that tourist resorts and hotel managements have been advised to put up signs in their hotel premises while police lifeguards too will be deployed, especially in newly established tourist zones.
Sri Lanka records an annual death toll by drowning of 1,3001,500 which include both locals and foreigners.
According to Dr. Wijeya Godakumbura, Consultant Surgeon and member of the National Committee for Prevention of Injuries, deadly rip currents result in many drowning deaths.
According to him, unlike waves, these areas appear calm and give the impression that they are safe.
This lures the bathers to these areas, and it is like ‘stepping on to a fast moving treadmill’as it can carry a person 200 metres offshore in one minute.