LEARN TO SWIM

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 133, 13 January 1939, Page 3

LEARN TO SWIM

MENACE OF DROWNING RULES FOR SAFETY (Special to the News.) WELLINGTON, yesterday. Concerned at the large number of drowning fatalities caused in New Zealand through lack of reasonable care on the part of many of the victims when bathing, the National Committeo of Swimming and LifeSaving has set out rules advised for safety.

The committee, which is organising the national learn-to-swim campaign sponsored this summer by the Government, has drawn attention to the fact that during the past 10 years deaths due to drowning in New Zealand were second in number to the deaths caused by road, accidents. Moreover.* drowning has been the gravest menace toi life during the summer mouths.

Lives lost through road .accidents have averaged 196 per year, and those lost through drowning 144. , In the hope of reducing the toll ol drowning, the national committee has taken upon itself the responsibility oi educating the public in water saloty. It is claimed by officials of the committee that foolhardiness is responsible for the death of most of the bathers drowned. They believe ’.hat, i! the public co-operates by heeding its warnings.' there- will be consider. - ; niy fewer drownings in the Dominion. Precautions Commended.

The precautions it advises for water safety are specially commended to parents, ancl are as follows: —

Don’t take risks when bathing ■ use commonsense. Don’t bathe too soon after a meal; wait at least an hour; Don’t go beyond your depth alone. Don’t jump or dive int& water the depth of which you do not know. Don’t stay in the water when feeling numb or cold. Don’t -play near creeks, troughs or sheep dips; children drown in them. Don’t try to swim, across rivers, streams or currents; it‘- is not worth the risk.\ Don’t overtire yourself when bathing. Don’t- play with rubber balls and rubber floats or use them to assist you in swimming; they are dangerous. Don’t lose your head if attacked with cramp or in danger; lie calmly on your back and try to attract- help. Don’t bathe away from the crowd; there is safety hUnumbers. Don’t bathe outside the marked safety areas.

The national committee’s final reminders to! bathers are that they should learn to swim, and that by endangering themselves they are endangering others.