Dubai: The number of people who died from drowning at sea fell to below 1 per cent of all cases in Dubai last year, the Rescue Department of Dubai Police said.
The department also said it takes two minutes — from the time a call for help is logged — to reach a person at risk of drowning.
Although the incidences of near drowning rose from the 45 in 2010 to 64 in 2011, the resulting deaths dropped to less than 1 per cent. Only one man who was rescued later died in hospital as opposed to six fatalities in 2010, Major Ahmad Ateeq Bu Ruqaiba, deputy director the Rescue Department, said.
Bu Ruqaiba urged beachgoers not to ignore the adverse weather conditions at this time of the year as they increased the chances of drowning — especially for those who are not good swimmers.
Marine rescue teams dealt with 64 near drowning cases last year. Out of the 84 injuries, 58 were minor, 16 moderate while eight were severe — other than the person who died in hospital.
