Here are some useful tips to prevent drowning tragedies

It was with a sense of shock and disbelief that people reacted to the news of two young female students drowning in a swimming pool at Qatar University.

A few months back, there was another news of an Indian man, who went on a family trip and drowned in the sea. If you are a little careful, you can avoid such a fate to you and your loved ones.

We, at Qatar Living, have put together a checklist of things to be careful about to prevent tragedies in water.

1. Learn to swim

We couldn’t emphasise this point any more. Swimming is a difficult sport to master, but once you do, it remain with you for life. Teach your children to swim as early as possible. It is a very good exercise option and will also ensure they have a better chance to survive on water.

2. Ensure there are barriers around pools

Ensure that the community swimming pool has enough protection to prevent your child from accidentally falling in. While railings can sometimes be a bit odd, it will prevent children from entering the pool without adult supervision.

3. Employ enough lifeguards

Drowning is not always as dramatic as you see in movies. It is often a silent killer. So when you are going to swim in the sea, it is a huge relief if there are experienced lifeguards who can immediately say when a person is distressed.

4. Wear life jackets

Wearing life jackets while swimming in the pool, playing in the river or while engaging in adventure sports like jet skiing can save your life. It may be a bit annoying, but remember that nothing is more precious than human life.

5. Do not swim in an intoxicated condition

Some people have a habit of going swimming after getting intoxicated on alcohol. This is akin to signing their own death warrants. Alcohol and other substances dull the brain and prevent you from taking quick decisions. When faced with life-threatening situations, it’s the split-second decisions that may save your life.