Swimming lessons vital for water safety, health

TDT | Manama    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

In a world where drowning claims the lives of approximately 1.2 million people annually, with 60 per cent of these deaths occurring among individuals under the age of 30, the need for water safety education has never been more critical.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified drowning as the second leading cause of death among children aged 5 to 14, making it a global health concern that requires immediate attention.

Recently, tragedy struck as a man lost his life when his car plunged into the sea near the Al Fateh area in Juffair.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by water bodies, especially for those residing in regions surrounded by vast oceans.

To shed light on the importance of swimming and the significance of water safety, The Daily Tribune spoke with Norhan Tarek Ibrahim, a coach at Nano Swimming Bahrain.

“Learning to swim is not only a vital life skill but also essential for individuals living in regions surrounded by vast bodies of water.

“We offer comprehensive training programmes for individuals of all ages, aiming to equip them with the necessary skills and build their confidence in the water.”

Overcoming fear

Norhan emphasised the importance of overcoming fear and developing relaxation techniques as fundamental steps in the learning process.

“In our beginner lessons, we focus on helping individuals break the barrier of fear and learn to relax in the water,” she explained.

“We gradually introduce techniques such as straight kicks, regulated breathing underwater, and floating on the stomach and back.”

“We utilize various teaching methods, including the use of noodles for the dog paddle technique and practising standing in the water without any aids,” Norhan stated.

“We also teach all four swimming strokes, along with drills and advanced techniques like turn flips, back flips, streamline swimming, and diving headfirst into the water.”

She further continued by saying, “For those who are fearful, we recommend beginning in shallow pools and focusing on pool-based training before advancing to open water.

“The classes are held twice a week for an hour and a half each, for a total of 12 hours per month. The usual cost is 50 BD for one month.”

Health benefits

Apart from being a vital life skill, swimming offers numerous health benefits.

“Regular swimming sessions help maintain a healthy heart rate, reduce stress on the body, build endurance, strengthen muscles, improve cardiovascular fitness, and aid in weight management,” Norhan added.

“Swimming is a holistic activity that promotes overall well-being.” Anandh Bharathwaj, a trainee, expressed his motivation for learning to swim in an interview with The Daily Tribune.

He stated, “I experience constant anxiety, tension, and insomnia, and I see swimming as a way to relax and improve my sleep patterns." Moreover, I aspire to overcome my fear of water and confidently swim in pools and deep seas without relying on swimming equipment.”

Desire to learn

Mohammed Muntazer, another trainee, shared his desire to learn swimming for the purpose of being able to rescue his family, friends, or anyone else who may be at risk of drowning.

He acknowledged that it was challenging, as he aimed to overcome common mistakes and be able to comfortably stay in deep water for extended periods without exerting excessive effort.

To address the alarming number of drowning incidents, governments, educational institutions, and communities must collaborate to priorities water safety education.