12 causes of drowning accidents, the most prominent of which is “heavy humor.”

A study prepared by the Ports Police Center highlighted 12 causes of drowning, based on an analysis of the causes of accidents registered with the center, the most prominent of which are heavy joking, an attempt by a person to save a drowning person who is not qualified to do so, and defiance among teenagers.

The Director of the Ports Police Station in Dubai, Brigadier Dr. Hassan Suhail Al Suwaidi, confirmed to Emirates Today that indicators of drowning incidents in the emirate have decreased during the current year compared to last year, despite the increase in population and the expansion of night beach projects, pointing out that no reports have been recorded. He drowned while swimming in these beaches during the night.

In detail, Brigadier General Dr. Hassan Suhail Al Suwaidi said that the teams’ performance index develops year after year in light of careful study of the level of handling and response to incidents, pointing out that the center imposed on itself an unprecedented challenge in any country, based on visits to countries such as Spain and Singapore to study best practices. He set response rates of one hour for non-emergency reports, 40 minutes for urgent reports, and 30 minutes for very urgent reports.

Regarding the indicator of reports during the night swimming period, he explained that “the idea of ​​night beaches was theoretically unusual, and we thought that it might represent a challenge in the event of receiving reports, but in light of Dubai Municipality’s interest in these beaches and providing them with lifeguards and infrastructure represented by good lighting, no reports were received from them.” “What was the impetus to expand it in light of its appeal to the public?”

He continued that by studying the causes of drowning and its indicators, it became clear that most accidents result from individual mistakes, such as landing in places not designated for swimming, stressing that the rescue teams dealt efficiently and effectively with the reports. The center was also keen to intensify awareness campaigns and prepare studies based on analyzing the cases so that people can benefit from them. Including community members.

In turn, the Deputy Director of the Ports Police Station, Colonel Ali Abdullah Al-Naqbi, said that the center prepared a detailed study on drowning that dealt with the types of drowning, namely the “irritated drowning person” who feels tense and afraid while exposed to any emergency at sea, so he makes quick and random movements and loses his concentration, and “ The “stuck drowner” who is stuck between the surface of the water and the bottom due to swallowing a large amount of water, the “drowning drowning man” who descends to the bottom due to delays in rescuing him, and the “tired drowning man” who is exposed to a sudden injury or illness while swimming.

He added that there are stages of drowning that begin with extreme fear, then asking for help by removing the hands from the water, muscle spasm with the beginning of resistance, then fatigue and weak strength, leading to swallowing water and loss of consciousness, pointing out that the next stage is when the person is submerged in water and stuck between the surface and the bottom, and then Going down after the air spaces in his body are filled with water.

Regarding the most prominent causes of drowning, Al-Naqbi explained that according to the study, there are several reasons, up to 12, including lack of familiarity with swimming, fear, confusion, sea currents, defiance among teenagers, heavy joking, fatigue and stress, sudden illness, failure to adhere to guidelines and instructions, and being affected by the use of alcoholic beverages. Leaving the area designated for swimming, not being aware of marine eddies, and finally trying to save a drowning person by an unqualified person.

Al-Naqbi advised certain guidelines to avoid drowning, the first of which is adhering to safety instructions and guidelines, not going into the sea for those who cannot swim, not leaving children alone in the water, or swimming outside designated places, and in the absence of a lifeguard, wearing appropriate clothes for swimming, and avoiding challenges and heavy pranks. .