Don’t overestimate your swimming ability, doctors warn after spate of drownings
Medical professionals urge vigilance around water amid summer drowning risks
As summer temperatures rise and more people head to beaches, pools, and out on boats, public health experts are warning of the very real risks of drowning, urging the public to take extra care near water.
The Malta Association of Public Health Medicine, together with the Maltese Paediatric Association, on Thursday issued a joint appeal for greater caution around water, reminding the public that “drowning is a preventable cause of death” affecting people of all ages.
Seven people have drowned at sea so far this year including a 25-year old Nepalese man who died on July 8 after getting into difficulties while swimming with friends at Exiles in Sliema at 1am.
Last month a six-year old boy also drowned in a swimming pool in Naxxar after wandering away from his relatives and in February, a 22-year old man died in a jacuzzi in a Sliema residence.
Highlighting that anyone is at risk, regardless of age, the associations said that “while children are often the focus of concern, adults are also at risk, particularly in open water, unfamiliar environments, or when safety measures are not followed.”
They encouraged people to take “proactive safety measures” to help prevent drowning incidents. These include recognizing one’s personal swimming limitations, avoiding alcohol when swimming or supervising children, using life jackets where appropriate, never swimming alone, and paying close attention to warning signs and sea conditions.
“Children require particular attention due to their vulnerability. Constant supervision is critical, even around small amounts of water such as bathtubs, paddling pools, or buckets, which can also pose a serious risk,” they said.
The medical professionals also pointed out the risk of “delayed symptoms” after water inhalation, sometimes referred to as “dry drowning”. Although rare, this can happen when small amounts of water are inhaled, leading to breathing difficulties or lung complications several hours after swimming.
Symptoms such as persistent coughing, unusual tiredness, or difficulty breathing after a child has inhaled water or been at risk of drowning should be treated seriously, and immediate medical advice should be sought.