Keep away: Canals, rivers hold high risk of drowning

Many towns and settlements in the Northern Cape are situated along the banks of the Orange or Vaal River. Furthermore, water-filled dams and canals stretch through several residential areas and farms, making it easily accessible to the community and children.

The police in the Northern Cape has noticed with great concern the number of drownings in the province. Recently, on Tuesday, 15 October, a 13-year-old boy from Bonita Park, Hartswater, drowned in the Vaalharts main canal.

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and the Vaalharts Water User Association (WUA) warn communities living near water canals to not swim, fish or conduct any recreational activities in such moving bodies of water as it poses high risk of drowning.

Both the DWS and WUA urge parents and communites to keep children away from running water, such as canals and rivers, as it poses endangerment to their lives.

The DWS and WUA have put up “no swimming” signs along the canal to caution the public. Awareness campaigns are also conducted for learners, teachers, and parents. 

A canal near Kakamas. Although tempting to cool of in this water during the hot summer, swimming in a canal is very dangerous. One reason is that it is much deeper than people initially think and sometimes the water level is on such a depth that one cannot easily get a grip on the top of the sides to get out of the canal. The sluices are another hazard for those swimming in the canals, as well as the speed of the water.

Photo: Helena Barnard

In an effort to educate the community on water safety, police members of the Social Crime unit in Kakamas conducted a water safety awareness campaign at amongst other the canal at Lutzburg earlier in October.

The young boys in the area were made aware that they were not supposed to swim in the canal, which has become a norm.

They were tasked to teach others what they have learned in an effort to reduce the number of drowning incidents.

Furthermore, the police are making an urgent plea to the public to adhere to and implement the following life-saving safety hints to prevent incidents of drowning:

• parents should know the whereabouts of their children at all times;
• avoid swimming in dams, water holes, and water canals;
• do not try to rescue someone if you cannot swim;
• refrain from swimming while under the influence of any substance;
• never swim alone;
• learn basic water skills as well as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR);
• teach your children to swim and always supervise them around water;
• do not swim in areas where the current is strong;
• look out for warning signs or flags indicating the area is dangerous for swimming;
• avoid swimming immediately after a big meal, as there is a danger of having cramps;
• do not dive into shallow water;
• never leave a young child unattended near water and never make a child responsible for another child;
• know your limits – do not swim farther than or hold your breath longer than you are able to;
• wear a life jacket if you cannot swim or while on a boat;
• do not swim during storms or strong wind; and
• make sure you never swim or fish alone.