The Department of Health yesterday reminded the public to be careful while swimming as drowning is one of the biggest causes of death among children.
“Iyong ating pong drowning is one of the biggest cause of death among children. Marami pong namamatay sa drowning. At ang advice po natin is talagang bantayan ang ating mga magulang o guardian o mga kasamahan iyong mga maliliit na bata,” Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial said.
Ubial said drowning can claim the life of anybody who is not cautious enough.
“Even the adults, ano, nagkakaroon din ng drowning kasi nagkakaroon din ng ano, medyo lumalayo sila. By the time na napansin nila, sobrang layo na nila, nagkakaroon ng fatigue or cramps so hindi na sila makabalik sa shoreline,” she said.
Ubial said even people who know how to swim can be involved in drowning incidents. “Mag-ingat po tayo kasi ako po, swimmer din po ako pero hindi ko po ina-attempt na lumayo sa shoreline. Marami na ho kasi akong kakilala na marunong lumangoy, nagkakaroon pa rin ng drowning dahil po cramps. Hindi natin alam kung kalian po mangyayari iyan.
Pinupulikat,” she said.
“Mag-ingat and as much as possible meron po tayong sinasabihan kung saan tayo lumalangoy para nababantayan din po nila kung nakabalik na tayo or nawawala tayo,” Ubial said.
She also said a person should not swim while under the influence of liquor. “‘Wag lalangoy ang mga nakainom ng alak…Don’t swim when you drank alcohol kasi mahirap po ‘yong decision-making,” she said. (Charina Clarisse L. Echaluce)