Dubai: Swimming experts have called on beachgoers to be aware of changing tides and urged them not to fight against the current as it can increase their chances of drowning.
“The tide is not the same in the morning as it is in the evening, and swimmers should take into consideration that the same spot they were in earlier is not the same later in the day,” said Deborah Cummins, business partner, Waves Swim and Sports Academy.
Cummins pointed out that if swimmers are pulled in by the current they should not fight it — as that is what usually causes drowning. If swimmers find themselves being pulled in by the current, they should not fight against the rush of water but instead swim with it.
Gulf News spoke to experts and municipality officials after three men drowned at the beach a week ago while a number of drowning incidents are also reported every month, especially during summer.
According to police reports, two Indian men drowned off Jumeirah Beach on May 24 and were allegedly swimming in a restricted area.
This is not the first reported incident of people drowning in Dubai waters.
In 2012, there were 23 drowning accidents recorded where two people died, while in 2011 there were 64 drowning accidents with one fatality.
“Swimmers should go with the rip because the current is on both sides and it is very hard to go against it. Once they are pulled back, it is only then that they should swim across it, either left or right, and they can swim safely to shore,” said Cummins.
“We have got high and low tides, and we have to be careful about the rips and the current because what might be safe in the morning might not be safe for the rest of the day. Flags and notice boards should be set up across the shores underneath the flags, so that it will catch the attention of people,” she said.
Cummins stressed that the current notice boards do not provide adequate safety information for beachgoers, and that they should also include the timings of high and low tides at sea, and warn jellyfish or other hazards that might compromise the safety of swimmers are present.
Swimming experts also emphasised that beachgoers should not ignore the notice boards placed along beaches, and should always ensure that a lifeguard is present before entering the water — even though they may be experienced swimmers.
When children are swimming, Nabeel Mejri, lifeguard instructor, UAE Swimming Federation, explained that they should never be left unattended.
“Children must always be at an arm’s reach from their parents and they should be enrolled in swimming classes so at least they know the basics of swimming,” said Mejri.
“Even with a flotation device, children are never safe and it is the parents’ responsibility to ensure that they are limited to the shallow end and that a lifeguard is always near the area.”
He added that experienced adult swimmers should also take precautions when swimming at the beach as “anything can happen at any time”, and never to swim without a lifeguard present, in addition to following the municipality’s rules on notice boards, which provide swimmers with basic swimming regulations.
The Public Parks Department at Dubai Municipality is responsible for several open beaches and has clear-cut rules on the safety of beachgoers that apply to the four public beaches — Al Mamzar Open Beach, Al Mamzar Beach Park, Jumeirah Open Beach and Jumeirah Beach Park.
According to Dubai Municipality, beachgoers are warned not to swim after sunset, not to swim close to rocks, and not to swim when the red flag is raised.
While it is mandatory for beaches to have rescue services in the form of either life guards, ports police patrols or a combination of both, to monitor beachgoers and come to their aid in the event of an accident or emergency, officials stress that swimmers and visitors have the responsibility to adhere to the basic safety instructions.
According to a statement by the Ports Police, swimming is prohibited when the red flag is raised as the flag indicates high waves and strong currents, and to swim with caution when the yellow flag is raised.
“Swimming is prohibited after sunset. Parents should watch their children at all times and should not allow them to swim alone or without wearing life jackets. Beachgoers should learn about the weather and sea forecast beforehand, and obey the instructions on the signs posted along the beach,” a police spokesperson said in a statement.
He also emphasised that swimmers should wear proper beachwear at all times to avoid accidents, and not to swim close to the rocks or outside the safe zone.
Drivers who use their four-wheel drive vehicle on Dubai beaches are not allowed to drive fast, and must be careful when driving and not endanger the lives of beachgoers, follow the instructions on the signs posted along the beach, and obey the directions of police officers.
