Lifeguards cite overconfidence as leading cause of drownings and incidents

With the bathing season well underway, the number of drownings continues to rise, although adverse sea conditions do not have a direct relationship with mortal statistics. 

A total of 24 people have drowned since June. 

13 of those people were on beaches, eight were in swimming pools and three in inland waters. 

The total death count from June 15 to July 24, has led to the government to call for extreme prevention measures. 

The same period last year saw only 19 deaths, as well as 16 people injuries on beaches and 15 in swimming pools. 

This year there are 21 beach injuries from drowning and 27 in swimming pools. 

The recommendations are to swim with or around other people and where there are surveillance and rescue services. 

Causes of Drowning

The vice-president of the association of water rescue companies (AECSA) and director of Pro-activa, Oriol Canals, says that rescues and drownings occur due to overconfident swimmers. 

Canals says there is excess confidence in personal physical condition, a false security in the safety items installed on the beaches, or outright ignoring the sea conditions at the time. 

He adds that "the sea is an environment contrary to human life."

The yellow flag, when waving on the beach, does not mean 'normal' conditions. Though it is not red, which warns not to enter the water at all, the yellow flag is not safe to swim in.

Canals warns that when the yellow flag is up, "the water should reach, at most, up to your knees." 

Should a swimmer choose to go past their waist with yellow flags, they "could have a problem," as they may encounter a sandbar breaking and no longer keeping them above the water line, warns Canals. 

The yellow flags mean there are adverse conditions in the water, and Canals believes that a much stronger sea culture among citizens is needed to reduce overconfidence in an environment that is "adverse" for people. 

Canals says "most risks are avoidable," and with greater awareness they can be avoided. 

Many beaches include additional accessibility features, such as handrails, that provide false confidence to elderly or those who don't know how to swim.

The handrails in particular, are more dangerous for lifeguards because it is fixed and forceful elements can cause bruises to people who are swept away by the wave. 

Public Rescue Boards

Some beaches have implemented a new element of safety to their waters, the citizen rescue boards. 

These boards are over a meter long, floating boards designed for citizens, who see swimmers in danger, to help. 

The board has several handles for the rescued person to grab hold of, and a safety strap that must be put on by the rescuer. 

Canals argues against the idea of these boards, saying "you can't expect citizens to do a job they may not be prepared for."

However, the councilor for the Beaches, Àlex Noheda, compares the function of the boards to defibrillators in public areas. "The boards play a similar role, but in the water," he says.