ABU DHABI Lifeguards patrolling Abu Dhabi beaches are angry that their lives are being put at risk by swimmers who ignore safety warnings about dangerous waves and undercurrents.
Many said they are constantly subjected to ridicule when they try to check reckless swimmers.
A staggering 1.52 million people have flocked to the capital’s Corniche and Al Bateen beaches this year, according to Abu Dhabi Municipality.
Unheeded warnings
Not all pay heed to the warnings.
An Indian lifeguard at the Corniche beach recalled a recent incident when a man waded into the sea carrying two small children despite repeated warnings.
“The kids were screaming in fear but the man wouldn’t stop. Egged by his wife, he continued to go deeper and deeper into the sea.
“Finally, I had to intervene. People must realise that swimming in the sea takes special skills. One wrong move and you could be swept away in seconds.” A Sri Lankan lifeguard said most beachgoers have no understanding of riptides and currents. “Their irresponsible behaviour poses a danger to not just their lives but also those of rescuers.
“It frightens me when I see people caring two hoots about safety instructions. They are so dismissive that they mock us when we ask them to be careful.”
Swimming is prohibited after sunset but people remain in the water well into the evening, much to the chagrin of lifeguards.
“We plead and warn them but they don’t listen. There’s only so much that we can do,” said a lifeguard at Al Bateen beach.
It’s no different at women’s only beaches. Lifeguards said they routinely come across women who let their kids swim without lifejackets.
“We ask them to stay close to children because they are vulnerable in the water. Even expert swimmers can get swept away if the tides are strong,” said a lifeguard.
Drowning is a primary cause of accidental deaths, accounting for nearly 400,000 cases annually worldwide. In the UAE too, it is the second highest cause of unintentional death.
Water safety experts said the majority of deaths could be avoided if swimmers followed their advice and stuck to safe swimming areas signposted by red and yellow flags.
Abu Dhabi Municipality has introduced a raft of measures to improve the safety of beachgoers. They include beefing up security during public holidays and increasing the number of lifeguards. On the Corniche beach alone, there are 29 lifeguards on weekdays and 37 on holidays.
Similarly, eight lifeguards are deployed at Al Bateen Beach on weekdays and 12 on weekends and public holidays besides four lifeguards on the women’s only beaches.
YOUSPEAK: What should be done to make public beaches safer?
