| James Kon |
BRUNEI beaches are known for their natural beauty but there also lurks a hidden danger in its waters. Many picnic enthusiasts have lost lives on the shores and the trend continues due to the lack of proper safety systems in place at popular beaches.
Drowning is the major cause of beach deaths in the country, and realising the gravity of the situation, Beach Bunch, a local non-government organisation (NGO), has installed public rescue equipment at two of the most popular beaches in the country – Muara and Berakas.
Beach Bunch, whose vision is to make better beaches protect coastal wildlife, believes that the life rings with ropes they put up at the beaches will reduce drowning fatalities.
Earlier this year, the NGO had installed warning signages at beaches following a drowning death end of last year.
Highlighting the reason for putting up the safety gear at the beaches, Rizan Latif, President of the Beach Bunch, said, “Muara and Berakas beaches are the most popular beaches in Brunei where beachgoers go for swimming. At both beaches natural rip currents occur which can be dangerous. Most drowning cases in the country were reported from these beaches and in the incident which occurred at Berakas in December 2016, two locals drowned and one survived.”
Public rescue equipment of a life ring with rope installed at the Berakas Beach by the Beach Bunch beside the rip current warning signage
Rescue equipment of a life ring with rope installed at the Muara Beach. – PHOTOS: JAMES KON
“It is hoped that installing the life rings with ropes will further reduce deaths from drowning. When a swimmer is in trouble, beachgoers can use the equipment to save him,” he said.
Explaining how to use the life ring, he said, “Take the rope and life ring and ensure that the rope is properly secured to the life ring. Deploy it either by throwing it to the troubled swimmer or to another swimmer who will then assist the swimmer in danger.
“The rope is 150 feet (50 metres) long. The troubled swimmer goes into the life ring. From the beach itself, rescuers can pull the troubled swimmer in the life ring using the rope.”
He added, “Make sure everyone uses the equipment responsibly and use it only during emergencies.”
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