Swimmers
- 92 views
As families gather for the festive season, marked by joy and togetherness, the risk of drowning incidents increases significantly.
Research from Australia has highlighted a concerning spike in drowning deaths during December and January, a trend that echoes in other countries such as Kenya. This festive period, often associated with school holidays and outdoor activities, presents an urgent need for heightened water safety awareness, particularly for children. This year, authorities in Kenya have identified high-risk coastal areas and issued warnings ahead of the holiday season.
Abdulhakim Mahmoud, Coordinator for the Kenya Red Cross Society in Lamu County, emphasizes the critical role of constant supervision near water, particularly for young children, to avert tragic outcomes. The World Health Organization (WHO) paints a stark picture of drowning as a critical public health challenge globally. In 2021, an alarming average of 30 people drowned every hour, culminating in over 300,000 deaths worldwide.
Children under five years of age are especially vulnerable, comprising a quarter of these fatalities, while individuals under 29 account for half of all drowning deaths. Despite the significant 38 per cent reduction in the global drowning rate since 2000, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cautions that each drowning incident is regrettable, given that millions remain at risk.
A closer look at regional statistics reveals profound disparities in drowning rates. The European region has achieved a remarkable 68 per cent decrease, contrasting sharply with Africa, which has seen only a three per cent reduction and now holds the highest rate of drowning deaths at 5.6 per 100,000 people. The absence of national drowning prevention strategies is largely responsible for this disparity.
In Kenya, a WHO report notes that at least 896 individuals drowned in 2022, a figure likely exacerbated by the lack of a cohesive national strategy to address this issue. Potential measures could include the prohibition of alcohol consumption near water bodies and the introduction of training programs focused on rescue and resuscitation skills. The WHO report also highlights that a staggering 86 per cent of countries do not mandate fencing around swimming pools, a crucial preventive measure for young children.
Furthermore, only 66 per cent of countries require life jackets for recreational boating and water transport. WHO advocates for various drowning prevention strategies, such as creating safe play areas for preschool-aged children, enhancing training in rescue and resuscitation techniques, and increasing public awareness of drowning risks. James Mungai, a swimming instructor based in Nairobi, offers practical advice regarding water safety.
He cautions against swimming in unfamiliar or historically perilous areas and stresses the importance of never leaving children unattended near water. In the event of a drowning incident, he urges individuals to remain calm, avoid panic, and utilize energy-conserving techniques such as treading water. This involves moving the legs in a circular motion while keeping the arms active to maintain an upright position, thereby enabling breathing and the ability to call for help.