Hidden dangers at placid waters

THE summer holiday season has not yet begun and already the fear of children drowning became a reality on Saturday.

But for the presence of three alert and competent women who noticed a young boy and girl disappear beneath the water and rushed to help, we could today have been speaking of a double tragedy.

As it was, the four-year-old boy had stopped breathing and was resuscitated at the scene.

Once more, the incident took place in the benign-looking Bay Hall area, where many bathers young and old have perished in past years.

A number of factors contribute to the heart-breaking phenomena.

The first is that the area gives a false sense of security.

Unlike the ocean, there are no great waves that threaten bathers. No cross currents. No rip tides.

But the tranquil waters conceal hidden dangers, owing to the vast difference in the high tide and low tide profile of the sea bed.

At times, it is possible to walk out for great distances without encountering a hole, depression, ledge or shelf on the sand floor below.

At other times, just a few metres from the shoreline one treads off a ridge into sudden, deep water – with fatal consequences for non-swimmers.

Add to this the fact that many times the bather might have consumed alcohol.

The danger has been aired many times in this newspaper.

Authorities have issued countless warnings, to no avail.

The municipality has erected warning signs, which are largely ignored.

Sea Rescue has added to this, even dividing the beach areas into zones, distinctly marked on notice boards, to ensure precise location for emergency rescue teams in the event of reported drownings.

During peak times, lifeguards are now posted in the Bay Hall area – a long stretch of shoreline – but their numbers and hours are limited.

In fact, many drowning occur once lifeguards have gone off duty.

What is the answer to keeping this beautiful recreational area safe?

Other than parental control and adult supervision, the only proper solution lies in education.

School and other groups who arrive should be confronted by multi-lingual notice boards depicting the dangers.

Loudspeaker announcements on busy days would also help.

Leaflets in taxis and buses that convey bathers to the beachfront area, with diagrams showing the hidden dangers underfoot, could likewise play a vital role in saving lives.