Janet Ogundepo
In the wake of the tragic boat accident that claimed the lives of five Nollywood actors, a certified swimming coach and Managing Director of Crawford Swimming World, Tayo Orekoya, emphasises the importance of wearing a life jacket while travelling by water, irrespective of having good swimming ability.
Recall that last Wednesday, tragedy struck on the River Niger, claiming the lives of John Paul Odonwodo, famously known as Junior Pope, Abigail Frederick, Precious Oforum, and Joseph Anointing.
The accident occurred when the speedboat conveying about 12 film crew members was rammed into by a canoe.
Videos showed the actor not wearing a life vest before the incident.
In response, the Delta State Government swiftly implemented a ban on travelling its waterways without the mandatory use of life jackets and adherence to other safety protocols.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau has initiated a thorough investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the accident, identify contributing factors, and propose preventive measures to avert similar tragedies in the future.
In a separate tragic incident, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed that seven individuals lost their lives due to drowning incidents in the state just last week.
He said, “Seven people drowned in hotel swimming pools and beaches. Two in one hotel in Mushin, One in one hotel on the Island, One on Ibeshe Island, Two fell off Third Mainland Bridge in an accident, another one in one hotel in Shasha.”
Commenting on the issue, Orekoya stressed that wearing a life vest should be non-negotiable for anyone travelling on water, whether a proficient swimmer or not.
He likened it to wearing a helmet while riding a power bike, highlighting that safety regulations must be adhered to.
Orekoya said, “If you know how to swim or not, you must wear a life vest anytime you are commuting on water. If you know how to swim on high seas, you must still wear a life vest because if you do not, your life is not safe.
“It is like someone that rides a power bike that must wear a helmet, even if the other entire body armour is not used because that is what can save life. If you are going on a jet ski, you must use a life vest. This is a must and it is a regulation.”
He advised individuals who frequently travel by ferry to invest in their own life vests to avoid discomfort from using communal ones.
Additionally, Orekoya emphasised that life vests should be worn properly and not simply held in hand or placed on the lap.
In terms of enforcement, Orekoya suggested that fines should be imposed on passengers who refuse to wear life vests, with checks conducted before boats depart and upon docking.
He also noted that swimming proficiency alone is inadequate in accidental drowning cases, stating that immediate assistance is crucial, as exhaustion can set in quickly, leading to tragic outcomes.
The expert cautioned against performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on drowned individuals, explaining that this could worsen their condition.
He advised that instead, the person should be turned to the side to facilitate the expulsion of water from their lungs.
The swimming coach further explained, “Falling into the water from a high distance is almost like falling on land, so whether the person knows how to swim or not, the person might be knocked out and faint. When someone faints and they are in the water, they’ll die. There is nothing that can be done except they are brought out of the water quickly and given CPR.
“However, giving CPR to someone who has fainted in the water drastically reduces the chances of survival. If someone has water in their lungs, the person will continue to drown if they are made to lie on their back.
“When you bring someone out of the water, turn the person to the side and there is a way to cross the leg and arms, that way, some of the water would start coming out. Also, when you notice that the tongue has stuck to the top of the mouth, it means that the person has blocked their airway, so the head has to be tilted so that the tongue can come back down. At this point, the person might gasp for air.
“So, when these first two things are done and nothing happens, that is when CPR can now be initiated. People around riverine areas usually begin to hit the person’s chest and that is wrong.”
Orekoya also addressed the issue of drowning in swimming pools and underscored the need to always have experienced lifeguards on the ground.
He urged both individuals and facility owners to prioritise water safety measures to prevent tragic incidents and ensure enjoyable aquatic experiences.
While frowning against situations where lifeguards double as photographers, he pointed out that it detracts them from their primary responsibility of ensuring swimmers’ safety.
Orekoya noted that swimming is still a relatively new leisure activity in Nigeria, with a significant portion of the population yet to fully embrace it.
He said women and children make up the majority of individuals attending swimming lessons in the country.
However, Orekoya pointed out a concerning trend in non-accidental drowning cases, noting that fatalities predominantly involved men.
He attributed this disparity to the fact that fewer than 30 per cent of men participate in swimming classes, adding that some men tended to showcase their swimming abilities prematurely, even before mastering them fully.
He said, “One needs to understand that water has nothing to do with your masculinity. A five-year-old who knows how to swim will swim faster and safer than a bodybuilder who is 35 years old. So, it is not about strength and this needs to be communicated to men especially.
“In swimming schools, we find more women and children coming to learn to swim than men. The women and children form about 70 per cent of those who come to learn.”
He further emphasised the importance of proper supervision in swimming pools, advocating for smaller swimmer-to-coach ratios to enhance safety.
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