Doha, Qatar: Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is actively working to prevent drowning incidents by educating the public on essential safety measures. With the summer heatwave driving more people to seek relief in the water, HMC is raising awareness about safe swimming practices.
HMC has issued safety tips to ensure the well-being of children at beaches and swimming pools. They emphasize the importance of not leaving children unattended near water, particularly those under two years of age, as they can drown in as little as 5cm of water within seconds.
Even if children can swim, adult supervision is strongly advised. “Ensure children wear appropriate swimwear for their age group and that life jackets, rescue, and floating equipment are available. It's preferred to wear a swimming float,” HMC recommends.
HMC also encourages parents and adults to enroll in swimming classes with a certified trainer and advises swimming with a partner rather than alone to facilitate help in emergencies.
Additionally, HMC urges sea-goers to stay informed about weather conditions. “Monitor the weather and avoid swimming in strong currents, rip currents, large waves, or thunderstorms. Pay attention to any warnings issued by the Qatar Meteorology Department,” advises HMC.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 236,000 people die from drowning annually worldwide, making it one of the top ten causes of death for children aged 5-14 years. Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death, accounting for 7 percent of all injury-related deaths.
In Qatar, around 25 individuals die from drowning each year, with 30 percent being children. “Children aged 10 years or younger, especially those under four years, suffer the most severe long-term physical and psychological effects from drowning incidents,” notes HMC.
To emphasize the devastating impact of drowning on families and communities and to promote life-saving measures, World Drowning Prevention Day is observed annually on July 25.