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Phuket Lifeguards Pluck Family From Surf: No Warnings Given
Monday, July 28, 2014
PHUKET: A Belgian family of four went for a swim at Surin beach yesterday without being told by their tour agent or their resort that the water at Phuket beaches can be dangerous at this time of year.
A rip carried the family of four away from the shore, and lifeguards were stretched to rescue them all speedily.
The last recorded fatality in the surf at Surin was on May 28, 2010, when German Marek Klein, 51, drowned. His body was difficult to recover because of the strength of the rip.
Rip currents form at most west coast beaches on Phuket during the monsoon season and venturing into the water on a day when red flags are flying is ill-advised.
The fact that the Belgian family had not idea about the problem reflects poorly on everyone who has been in contact with them.
Phuketwan advocates a multi-tiered series of warnings beginning as all flights descend to Phuket, continuing directly in person verbally at every resort check-in, and reinforced by lifeguards blowing whistles to back up signs and flags at all Phuket beaches.
About 35 people are believed to have drowned at Phuket beaches and at day-trip destinations last year. Official figures have not been released since April, 2012, but anecdotal reports indicate there have been fewer drownings this year.
The Surin lifeguards, who recently lost their tower to storms that are also eroding the coast at all beaches a little more each year, now have a temporary base. The hut was provided by the Cherng Talay Council.
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Comments
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So the multitude of red flags and multi lingual notices weren't warning enough then, and carrying a baby in the surf!
Posted by
R Hind
on
July 28, 2014 18:13
Editor Comment:
Holidaymakers don't read signs, there are too many of them. They come to Phuket in holiday mode, believing it's a year round swimming destination. No surprises there. People need direct warnings from a receptionist as they check in.
Very well done that lifeguard team. To rescue 1 is good; to rescue an entire family successfully is highly commendable.
Posted by
Logic
on
July 28, 2014 19:04
There is no local news for Thais. I worked in a hotel. When I first started telling them that there were drowning they were all surprised. Not an excuse just saying they are oblivious in SOME cases to this fact.
Posted by
Vfaye
on
July 28, 2014 19:06
Editor Comment:
Yes. Many events that affect tourists and tourism are not reported by the Thai-language media. If one outlet actually drew the link between jobs and Phuket's future, that outlet would attract more readers.
A family leaves a hotel- how are the reception staff to know if they are headed for the beach, a coffee shop or the cinema?
Bearing in mind all the clutter has gone red flags are easy to see. 'Holiday mode' is no excuse for switching off and it doesn't just need signs- the waves crashing on the shore are another good indicator that it may not be safe. This family not only put themselves at risk by ignoring visible warnings they also endangered the lives of the lifeguards.
No matter what- well done to the lifeguards for saving these people.
Posted by
Mister Ree
on
July 28, 2014 20:01
Editor Comment:
The reception staff should warn them - and all other guests - when they check in. Simple, eh?
A changeable sign in the foyer can be flipped on a daily basis to say, Safe at the Beach or Do Not Swim Today. Simple, eh?
Perhaps you've never had children, Mister Ree, or forgotten how little time you have left for other things.
Perhaps you are unaware of the large amount of signage that discourages people from finding and reading the really important notices.
People who are enticed to come to Phuket in the monsoon season should be told what the year-round beach destination is really like.
Those who wish to keep up the pretence of the brochures are kidding themselves and by so doing, allowing too many tourists to drown needlessly. Complicit culpability, I'd call it.
Fewer drownings, fewer tourists.
V Faye, Good point. May I suggest PW go Thai language, or would it be shut down immediately?
Posted by
MediaWatcher
on
July 28, 2014 20:02
While signs may have provided some warning, surely the ignorance of the family to the potential danger is the major issue, the same cause of most drownings or rescues.
People who are not familiar with coastal beach conditions and aware of the dangers or how quickly conditions can go from safe to dangerous.
Every beach has potential to cause drowning just as every road has the potential to be hit by a car.
We cannot signpost every danger that exists with every issue although society seems to be headed that way.
If we consider the role of a parent is to teach and prepare children so that they can look after themselves, it's parenting that is failing.
Swimming lessons for infants now begin before they can walk and by the time they reach 5 or 6 most are competent and Although still not experienced, the ability to survive in water exists.
Posted by
Manowar
on
July 29, 2014 05:17
Editor Comment:
Blaming the victims for ''ignorance'' is unfair. More people coming to Phuket are unaware of the dangers and must be told before they reach the beach. If I was the manager of a Phuket resort, the last thing i would want on my conscience is the thought that a small amount of extra care may have saved the life of a guest. Unlike the roads, the danger level at Phuket's beaches changes not just with the seasons, but every day.
Fair enough maybe inexperienced would have been better but Phuket's beaches are no more dangerous or change conditions anymore frequently than other similar beaches.
The inexperienced beach user looks at the surf and sees an area where least waves are and decides this is where they will swim unaware that this is, not only the deepest water but also generally outward flowing and more likely to be the area where depth can quickly change.
As you are aware, in Australia where records are accurately kept, almost the same number of people drown in inland lakes, dams and rivers as do on unprotected beaches and a similar number again in swimming pools. The main difference between these 3 group is the age of those affected.
These figures are somewhat irrelevant unless compared with actual swimming numbers or swimming hours but they do provide an insight where drownings are likely to occur. The majority have the same root cause, either non swimmer or inexperience.
Posted by
Manowar
on
July 29, 2014 07:39
Editor Comment:
That more children should be taught to swim is a no-brainer. However, your idea may not be taken up in China or Russia anytime soon. The issue is the need for a dramatic improvement in the warnings system to prevent needless drownings on Phuket all year long. The resorts, in most cases, simply do not play their part. They willingly take the tourists' cash but they don't take responsibility for marketing the destination inaccurately. That's ok . . . . provided the utmost care is taken with the safety of those who take the bait.
Agree hotels could probably do more to warn of the danger. Getting someone to understand the danger is hard when all they see is refreshing water on a hot day.
Unless you have witnessed that nice, calm, shallow section of water suddenly disappearing beneath you most people will not believe it can occur or not believe any danger exists.
Posted by
Manowar
on
July 29, 2014 08:34
The first time I arrived on Phuket I was warned, very strongly, at check-in about the riptides and not to swim in the sea. I heard another person being warned. That same day guess where that person went. Into the sea swimming. You cannot stop an idiot from being an idiot.
Posted by
Kirkdale Boy
on
July 29, 2014 13:10
Editor Comment:
What resort was that, Kirkdale Boy?
@Kirkdale boy
You cannot stop an idiot from being an idiot.
===
Obviously, he given a priority to a marketing leaflet that advertised Phuket as all-year-around beach destination, that it, actually, is not. That is a big problem, and ultimately can be mitigated by information in hotel and proper signing at beaches, as it would create cumulative effect of tourists coming back from vacations and spreading a word.
Posted by
Sue
on
July 29, 2014 14:10
The Belgians needed to receive the safety information on the turf, PRIOR to hitting the surf.
Any "idiot" knows that.. sheer idiocy can be thwarted..but terms like "idiot" and "moron" are no longer acceptable terms in the medical realm..one could be SUED for using those terms in the wrong context..
I was a special needs teacher, and most of my students were in the former "moron" category, tested out in the 70'th percentile and under...
Posted by
farang888
on
July 29, 2014 21:16
Editor Comment:
Well said, farang888. A course for Prejudices Anonymous would be popular.
West sands, ed. I did not name it as i thought it would be advertising. Sorry.
Posted by
kirkdale boy
on
July 29, 2014 22:24
Editor Comment:
Positives are not going to get us sued, and I think it would be good to encourage others to follow. Good on you, West Sands. Thanks, kirkdale boy.
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So the multitude of red flags and multi lingual notices weren't warning enough then, and carrying a baby in the surf!
Posted by R Hind on July 28, 2014 18:13
Editor Comment:
Holidaymakers don't read signs, there are too many of them. They come to Phuket in holiday mode, believing it's a year round swimming destination. No surprises there. People need direct warnings from a receptionist as they check in.