by Alejandro Arley, February 15, 2024
A lifeguard who experienced a difficult situation on a beach calls for increased prevention for those on vacation.
The number of deaths from aquatic accidents has been on the rise. According to data from the Costa Rican Red Cross, there were 108 cases in 2021, 118 in 2022, and 132 deaths registered in 2023.
So far in 2024, there have already been 19 deaths due to aquatic accidents, which averages nearly three cases per week.
In a discussion with Noticias Columbia, Esteban Fonseca from the Specialized Aquatic Search and Rescue Unit of the Red Cross shared a challenging experience he had about 15 years ago at Quepos beach, long before becoming a lifeguard, which prompted him to make a significant decision.
“Part of the reason I joined the Unit was because during a family outing, I had to rescue someone. Thankfully, everything turned out well, but I felt utterly unprepared. I thought, ‘My God, what’s happening? Is someone going to have to get this person out? I look around, and nobody moved, and I thought, ‘Oh my God, it’s going to be me,'” he recounted.
“I’ve always been a swimmer, but pulling someone out is not easy at all. Especially in the sea, my experience has been that a rip current can hit at any moment. Many times you go on vacation, you don’t know the beach, a current comes, and in a matter of seconds, someone can be swept away,” he added.
Listen to the full interview here:
Fonseca recommends avoiding unnecessary risks when going to the beach, pools, or rivers. “Precaution starts with oneself. Many times we go to a pool or a river, and people, without thinking, without knowing the area, jump straight into the water. I believe a lot of this caution comes from one’s own behavior,” he said.
“It’s also very important to recognize our limitations. Some people arrive and say: ‘I’m an excellent swimmer; I swim every day in a pool,’ but obviously, it’s not the same as swimming in the sea or a river,” he highlighted.
One of the main recommendations to avoid accidents is to familiarize oneself with the area before starting to swim or play in the water. Additionally, he reminded that children should always be under supervision.
Given the increase in the number of fatalities and people experiencing emergencies in the water, the Red Cross and the Fire Department launched a preventive campaign.
The most recent severe aquatic accident occurred this Wednesday at Playa Hermosa de Jacó. Two elderly adults were swept away by the tide, and one of them died.
Source: https://columbia.co.cr/cifra-de-muertes-por-accidentes-acuaticos-preocupa-a-la-cruz-roja/
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