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