Swimmers told to be cautious

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."