DAMMAM: The Coast Guard command in the Eastern Province is working to curb the incidents of drowning by training the force and spreading awareness about the risks of picnicking close to the sea. The move comes in the backdrop of a large number of accidents especially during summer in previous years, Lt. Col. Muhammad bin Saad Al-Ghamdi, Coast Guard’s director of public relations, told Arab News.
“Thanks to the campaign, only two people drowned during the first half of this year,” said Al-Ghamdi, citing statistics from the past. He said 20 people drowned last year alone while 444 were rescued, and a total of 63 people drowned and 1,392 were rescued over the past five years.
Al-Ghamdi said the youngest of those who drowned was a child of two years while the oldest was a man of 65 years; both were Saudis.
He added that the incidence of drowning generally increases during the summer vacation. “We are doing our best to make the sea a safe place for the holidaymakers,” Al-Ghamdi said.
He explained that the Coast Guard has increased its shore and sea patrols, raised the number of trained rescue workers and installed more signboards indicating deep and dangerous sites.
Al-Ghamdi said challenging the hazards of the sea, especially during high tides, and ignoring safety instructions were the most common reasons for drowning. He also said negligence by parents was the main reason for the drowning of children, while overconfidence and swimming long distances were reasons behind the drowning of young men.
“Women usually lose their lives while trying to save their children or while swimming alone at night,” he added.
Al-Ghamdi called on all people coming to the sea to have an idea about first aid. “Ignorance of rescue techniques and not knowing of the areas that are suitable for swimming may lead to drowning,” he said.
He stressed that members of the Coast Guard receive extra training on search and rescue operations to upgrade their skills. They are given training on first aid in collaboration with the Saudi Red Crescent and the health science colleges.
Al-Ghamdi advised owners of sailboats to abide by safety instructions. “This will enable us to help them in times of need,” he said.
He urged the public to immediately report accidents to the Coast Guard, indicating the accurate location, the type of accident and the number of people involved. “This will make easy for us to move in time and do our job effectively,” he said.
Asked about the tasks and responsibilities of the Coast Guard, Al-Ghamdi said they include guarding the land and sea borders as well as seaports, combating smuggling and checking on unusual movement in territorial waters.
“We also have humanitarian tasks such as rescuing people, searching for the missing and directing those who lose their way in the sea or along shores,” he added. The Coast Guard also designates places for fishing.
