Lifesavers needed

Lifesavers needed

From Gatra

It is often reported that the Indian Ocean claims many tourists' lives, but the government pays little attention to the matter. It has not even considered setting up lifesaving team or at least telling tourists how to save themselves if they are carried away by a strong current.

The south sea has a steady current which runs from east to west (for Java) and from south to north for Sumatra. Large waves also break on the coast and create a strong undercurrent. This undercurrent is particularly quick. The big waves are caused by strong winds that blow over the sea. Inexperienced people will not be able to get out of this undercurrent. A trapped person being carried away feels sucked in by the churning wave. The panicked victim tries to surface to breath but usually sucks in seawater and, as a result, drowns.

One way to survive is to float with the current and shout for help. Attempting to swim against the current will tire you out and lead to drowning. A float is not much help either because it takes too much strength to swim against the current.

The Indian Ocean's current is unpredictable. It depends on the wind and weather in the southern region. It would be good to emulate Australia with its surf lifesaving branch in every coastal town.

S. KARTAMADJANA

Surabaya, East Java