Dubai boy's drowning raises concerns over swimming in the sea
How swimming in the open waters is different from swimming in the pool
Dubai: A spate of drowning incidents in the UAE in recent times has raised serious concerns about the general lack of awareness about the difference between swimming in the open waters and in a pool.
Despite regular warnings by the authorities to avoid the rough seas and take due precautions, many adults and children venture out into the ocean, unprepared for the challenges of the open waters, putting their lives at risk.
While some of them are rescued, others are not quite as lucky. Just last week, in what was a family outing gone awry, Indian expat student Ahmed Abdulla Mafaz, 15, drowned while his sister Fathima was rescued after they were caught by huge waves off Mamzar Beach.
The point is, even if the seas are not rough, swimming in the open waters brings with it its own set of demands and challenges, which a swimmer must be cognisant of before taking the plunge.
Gulf News spoke to Exon Anonuevo Sayo, Head Coach of a Dubai-based sport school (I Love Supersport) and two-time national champion from the Philippines, to find out what these challenges are and how they can be overcome.
“Just because someone is a strong pool swimmer doesn’t necessarily mean they will be good in the sea,” he said.
Just because someone is a strong pool swimmer doesn’t necessarily mean they will be good in the sea.
There are many reasons why swimming in the open waters is a different call.
“Of course, an open water swimmer should basically know how to swim in a deep pool. But what he should also know is that the sea, unlike the pool, is an uncontrolled environment,” said Exon.
As he explained, the depth of the sea is uneven and the open waters are subject to currents, which make all the difference to an open water swimmer, whether it is in the ocean or even river.
Sayo said currents can pull a swimmer in different directions, so one must know how to navigate through them.
“Going from Point A to B in a pool is pretty much swimming along a straight line. But swimming in the sea requires sighting, a navigation technique that ensures you are in the right direction,” he said.
For example, a powerful rip current, which accounts for the majority of lifeguard rescues around the world, would mean strong channels of water moving away from the shore, so swimmers are swiftly pulled out to sea. The currents usually extend from the shoreline and past the line of breaking waves, so swimmers must be cautious not to swim directly against them.
According to Sayo, buoyancy is another factor to keep in mind. He explained how buoyancy is the force that enables a swimmer to float in the water, even while not moving. With sea water denser than fresh water because of the high salt levels, a swimmer can float better in the ocean than in the pool.
While this may seem like fun, the swimmer must be aware that buoyancy depends upon the composition of the body. If the swimmer or his equipment weigh more than the water being displaced, it can result in sinking.
The swimming coach, who trains both children and adults, said, “Swimming in the pool and open water also require different arm actions. In the pool, the water is flat, so you are required to do a bend arm recovery or high elbow recovery. In the sea, you have to maintain the high hand recovery position even if it is slightly wavy.”
There are other considerations too, like body rotation, breathing position and rhythm and kicking. “A swimmer has to rotate the body more in a pool than the sea. The breathing position is higher in the sea because of the waves and there is less kicking required in open water because of a lower propulsion rate.”
Common mistakes that lead to drowning
Sayo said there are very common mistakes people commit while swimming in the sea, which can result in drowning.
Holding your breath: People tend to hold their breath which can block the diaphragm and can prove dangerous.
Overuse of power: An open water swimmer must know how to regulate his power or energy to cover a certain distance in the sea.
Right speed: Make sure you are not rushing. The best speed for a swimmer is that which he can sustain. It varies from person to person.
Loose clothing: Loose clothes act as parachutes, so in the event of a current the swimmer is easily carried away with slim chances of swimming back to the shore.
Intoxication: Swimming under the influence of alcohol or any substance.
Swimming with a less confident partner: A weak swimmer will tend to cling on the stronger swimmer, which can lead to both of them drowning. A swimmer in distress is said to have a grip three times stronger than an ordinary swimmer, so it is difficult to let go.
Some drowning incidents in the UAE
November 2024: Indian expat student Ahmed Abdulla Mafaz, 15, dies due to drowning while his sister Fathima, is rescued, after being caught by huge waves off Mamzar Beach.
July 2024: National Coast Guard rescues Emirati citizen from drowning in Ras Al Khaimah Creek.
June 2024: Indian man drowns while swimming off Al Mamzar beach.
April 2024: Pakistani worker drowns in the floodwaters of Al Dhaid.
April 2024: Emirati man drowns amid unstable weather in Ras Al Khaimah.
January 22, 2023: Husband drowns while trying to rescue wife off Mamzar Beach in Sharjah.