BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) District North Western Luzon is reminding the public to consider all the risks and dangers in water when going swimming or crossing bodies of water.
PCG data showed that drowning incidents within Region 1 increased to 60 in 2024 from 50 incidents in 2023.
Most of the victims were from the Cordillera region. Lieutenant Junior Grade Juanito Melad, commander of the Special Operations Unit of the PCG, said the usual reason for drowning incidents is that people are not knowledgeable or they do not consider the risks or danger, and they just want to enjoy.
“Water environment, when we say water environment, any type of bodies [of water] has risks or any danger, so we must consider water dangers kahit one feet pa yan. We must consider all the environments are dangerous,” Melad stressed.
He also emphasized water safety, taking note of the procedures, precautions, and policies associated with safety in, on, and around the bodies of water where there is a risk of injury or drowning.
Melad also shared drowning prevention or strategy measures that need to be considered to avoid and reduce drowning incidents.
These include self-awareness, awareness of dangers to minimize risks, preventing aquatic incidents, and knowing when and how to act in an emergency.
“Safety can be considered, unang-una, sa ating sarili, dapat aware sa sarili sa safety natin. Kung hindi tayo marunong lumangoy, sa gilid-gilid na lang tayo, ‘wag na tayo mag-swimming venture kasi it will cost incident. Awareness of danger. So, kailan ka mag-act or kailan ka tatawag ng tulong with regards kung meron ka ng emergency na nakikita?” he said.
Melad shared the following safety tips: learn to swim; swim near a lifeguard; never swim alone; look out for children closely; do not pass the responsibility to the lifeguards, and do not rely on flotation devices as these are not substitute for swimming ability.
If caught in a rip current, swim sideways until free and do not swim against the current pull; never swim under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs; and lastly, protect your head, neck, and spine, do not jump or dive into unfamiliar water.
The water safety reminder is very timely as it is summer season and vacation time for students, and people often go swimming to beat the heat .(JDP/DEG/Liezel Castillijos-PIA CAR-BSU Intern]
