Beachgoers should be careful of changing tides and sea conditions

Holidaymakers who go to the beaches should be cautious about the nature of the sea and tides to avoid death by drowning, Dr Hamid Ahmed Gharib, medical supervisor at the Sealine Medical Clinic of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), told Gulf Times.

His warning came after an Indian man drowned while picnicking near the Khor Al Udeid last week.

“Several of my friends have told me that certain areas of the Sealine beach can be very tricky at times. People have to be very watchful of the tides and be very vigilant about different movements of the sea. This will help in taking the right step in case of any unexpected and adverse changes of the sea level,” he said.

Dr Gharib said that he had not come across any drowning case at the Sealine clinic during the entire period of the last season. “No drowning cases were reported at the clinic during the camping season this year. During every camping season, we run the clinic from late October to mid- April.”

Another safety expert who has worked as a lifeguard at several beaches abroad, cautioned that people should always take care of the water level at the beaches.

“On several occasions, I’ve noticed that the water level at the beaches suddenly going up due to the changes in the tides. It’s a practice for people to venture all the way to the deeper parts of the sea when the water level is very low. If they find that the water level is going up they should immediately return to the shore rather than moving forward.”

He also pointed out that people must avoid swimming in the sea at odd hours, however convenient and safe they may feel.

“People must avoid late night hours on various counts. One reason is it might be difficult to rescue people in case of a mishap. Moreover, not many skilled people might be at hand to provide the necessary help during such hours. Similarly you must avoid such places which are less visited by people.”

He also noted that people must first be aware of the location and area that they have chosen to swim.

“You must have an idea about the sea level as well as depth of the area you’re swimming in. If you aren’t an expert swimmer, never venture into the deep areas. Such people should always confine themselves to the shallow areas of the beach and avoid the areas where water levels are high. Similarly, small children shouldn’t be taken to the deeper area of the beaches.”

Courtesy: gulf-times.com