Swimmers told to be cautious

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Swimming is certainly one of the world's most favorite pastimes with people diving into swimming pools, sometimes to imitate renowned Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe or just to have fun in the water with friends and relatives.

However, all that fun and effort of getting in shape can end in unexpected tragedy.

Swimmers should be reminded repeatedly that they need to take special care when swimming alone.

These concerns recently came to light after the tragic drowning death of Miriam Assraf from Pakistan, who was found floating in the swimming pool of her home, Bukit Golf Apartments in Pondok Indah, South Jakarta, on the evening of Jan. 13.

Police reports said a tenant spotted Miriam struggling in the water and quickly alerted the reception desk, who then sent security guards to the pool.

"The Kebayoran Lama Police declared her death a pure accident and the family also said that they could accept that," the apartment security chief, Darwis, told The Jakarta Post last week.

Darwis refused to comment on whether the apartment employs lifeguards to oversee those using the swimming pool.

"The case has been taken over by the apartment's management," he said.

The management, however, was not available for comment.

A city regulation from the City Tourism Agency states that lifeguards need to be stationed at swimming pools and beaches as a safety precaution. This stipulation, however, does not apply to apartment pools, which are known for their high level of privacy.

"Apartments are not within our jurisdiction. We only look after the swimming pools at hotels and tourist spots," said a staff member at the City Tourism Agency's training and certification center.

"It is mandatory that each hotel and tourist spot employs lifeguards at their swimming pools," he added.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the staff member also said that the agency had not yet enforced the regulation regarding lifeguards.

"We are still processing what qualifications a lifeguard must have according to national and international standards."

Several star-rated hotels confirmed that they have lifeguards on duty during their pool's hours of operation.

The sport club manager at the Century Park Athletes Hotel in Central Jakarta, Hengky, for example, said the hotel had four lifeguards with two guards on each shift.

Separately contacted, Dadeng Kurnia of the Indonesian Swimming Federation (PRSI), who is also a lifeguard instructor, said that a swimmer had to be prepared physically and mentally before diving into a pool.

"Stretching and warming-up is very important to do beforehand to avoid getting cramps. A swimmer also needs to adapt to the water temperature, by, for example, taking a shower.

"It is also important to remember that one should not swim on an empty or full stomach," he added.

Another important thing to remember, Dadeng said, was not to underestimate the pool's depth and avoid being overconfident.

"Once you are in the pool, you have to control your emotions and do not panic under any circumstances," he said.

"A swimmer can drown in only one meter of water if he or she panics, so always keep calm."