Swimmers told to be cautious<\/p>\n
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Swimming is certainly one of the world's most favorite pastimes
\nwith people diving into swimming pools, sometimes to imitate
\nrenowned Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe or just to have fun in the
\nwater with friends and relatives.<\/p>\n
However, all that fun and effort of getting in shape can end
\nin unexpected tragedy.<\/p>\n
Swimmers should be reminded repeatedly that they need to take
\nspecial care when swimming alone.<\/p>\n
These concerns recently came to light after the tragic
\ndrowning death of Miriam Assraf from Pakistan, who was found
\nfloating in the swimming pool of her home, Bukit Golf Apartments
\nin Pondok Indah, South Jakarta, on the evening of Jan. 13.<\/p>\n
Police reports said a tenant spotted Miriam struggling in the
\nwater and quickly alerted the reception desk, who then sent
\nsecurity guards to the pool.<\/p>\n
"The Kebayoran Lama Police declared her death a pure accident
\nand the family also said that they could accept that," the
\napartment security chief, Darwis, told The Jakarta Post last
\nweek.<\/p>\n
Darwis refused to comment on whether the apartment employs
\nlifeguards to oversee those using the swimming pool.<\/p>\n
"The case has been taken over by the apartment's management,"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
The management, however, was not available for comment.<\/p>\n
A city regulation from the City Tourism Agency states that
\nlifeguards need to be stationed at swimming pools and beaches as
\na safety precaution. This stipulation, however, does not apply to
\napartment pools, which are known for their high level of privacy.<\/p>\n
"Apartments are not within our jurisdiction. We only look
\nafter the swimming pools at hotels and tourist spots," said a
\nstaff member at the City Tourism Agency's training and
\ncertification center.<\/p>\n
"It is mandatory that each hotel and tourist spot employs
\nlifeguards at their swimming pools," he added.<\/p>\n
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the staff member also
\nsaid that the agency had not yet enforced the regulation
\nregarding lifeguards.<\/p>\n
"We are still processing what qualifications a lifeguard must
\nhave according to national and international standards."<\/p>\n
Several star-rated hotels confirmed that they have lifeguards
\non duty during their pool's hours of operation.<\/p>\n
The sport club manager at the Century Park Athletes Hotel in
\nCentral Jakarta, Hengky, for example, said the hotel had four
\nlifeguards with two guards on each shift.<\/p>\n
Separately contacted, Dadeng Kurnia of the Indonesian Swimming
\nFederation (PRSI), who is also a lifeguard instructor, said that
\na swimmer had to be prepared physically and mentally before
\ndiving into a pool.<\/p>\n
"Stretching and warming-up is very important to do beforehand
\nto avoid getting cramps. A swimmer also needs to adapt to the
\nwater temperature, by, for example, taking a shower.<\/p>\n
"It is also important to remember that one should not swim on
\nan empty or full stomach," he added.<\/p>\n
Another important thing to remember, Dadeng said, was not to
\nunderestimate the pool's depth and avoid being overconfident.<\/p>\n
"Once you are in the pool, you have to control your emotions
\nand do not panic under any circumstances," he said.<\/p>\n
"A swimmer can drown in only one meter of water if he or she
\npanics, so always keep calm."<\/p>",
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