Safety from sea bathing dangers
In many other countries for swimmers and life guards’ shark attacks are serious threats. However in Sri Lanka shark attacks have not been recorded as yet but crocodile attacks have been prevalent in fresh waters.
- Dangers due to injury from rock deposits and reef protruding is much prevalent.
- It is dangerous to swim when the waters are turbulent with high waves etc.
- If the coastal area waters are deep and turbulent swimming could be dangerous as am unforeseen current could dash you against the rock and reef projections.
- If the waves are been pushed towards a side there could be a current prevalent.
- The high waves running into to deeper waters may result in deep holes which are not clear due to debris and muddy surf. Weak swimmers should desist from swimming into such areas.
- Always swim parallel to the beach where swimming into safety is possible at all times.
- Do not swim alone in the sea even if you are a competent swimmer.
- Do not get carried away with the feeling that certain objects visible in the sea are at close proximity. Mostly it is far away than seen to the naked eye.
Bathing in Floating rivers
- Hazards due to river bathing could be easily avoided. Never jump into a river from the edge of the river.
- Whenever the water level is rising or when the flow is rapid do not step in to the water.
- Do not gauge the speed of the flow of water from the edge as similar to the middle and deeper areas.
- A serious current of water may be prevalent in deeper areas where as not seen at surface level. Eg. The stillness of the water at surface level near Polgoalla dam entry point.
- Due to currents the points of river waters entering the sea could be very dangerous.
- Strong currents are prevalent near rock deposits and projections along flowing rivers which are dangerous.
- When a large quantum of water has to go through a smaller entry point the currents are very strong.
- When the edges of a river soggy and slippery it is hazardous to walk along the edge and also not suitable for fishing.
- Based on the flow of the waters the protruding rock deposits underneath could be sharp and dangerous.
- The entry points where sea water mixes up with fresh water the rock deposits underneath also could be sharp and dangerous.
- One of the main reasons that so many death occur due to river based accidents may be due to the large number of rivers and waterway in Sri Lanka.
Issues to be mindful of when stepping into a river
- Never step into water from a point close to an anicut as pieces debris may collect which could be hazardous.
- Reservoir anicut points are very dangerous as severe currents may prevail.
- It is dangerous to step into the waters of ponds which are full of mud and plants which hide what is underneath.
- Periods of heavy rain and periods of drought is not a feasible period to bathe at water holes around a reservoir.
When stepping into or fallen into a bayou
A bayou is a muddy field or a wetland with floating slabs od mud.
Most wetlands are of the under mentioned nature
- Mostly the water logged areas have dry land in the middle and at the edges.
- Such area are muddy with the possibility of been stuck.
- Through the passage of time soggy debris and earth deposits may create hazards of someone entering the surface to be stuck in the mud.
- When walking along the edge of the water logged areas all precautions must be taken to ensure safety.
- To save a person stuck in suck areas a rope, a stick, a branch of a tree could be used as a safety option.