Seventy-two drownings

This past Holy Week, the PNP recorded 72 drownings across the country. Most of the cases of drowning are from the Ilocos Region, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon.

It is customary for many Filipinos to go on vacation during Holy Week, and the most frequent places to visit are beaches, rivers, and swimming pools. But instead of being a happy occasion, it ends up in mourning.

Based on available data, most of those who die from drowning are children. And it is not surprisingly most of the children are aged one year to four years. The explanation here is that most people who drowned in swimming pools were not supervised or noticed going into the pool. If a child does not yet know how to swim, he or she should not be neglected.

Just because one can jump into a swimming pool doesn't mean one knows how to swim.

Another observation is that those who drowned were mostly males. An explanation here is the so-called risk takers. Those who jump into the deep end of a swimming pool or ocean. Those jumping into the ocean from high places. Breath-holding competitions. And those who have consumed alcohol decide to swim in the ocean, sometimes at night.

Some people died while walking on the beach. You cannot see the sea floor. You don't know if the sea floor suddenly turns into a cliff. So, you should not walk far from the beach where your family or friends can no longer see you. A big wave may sweep you away in an instant. Or be swept away by dangerous undercurrents. Instead of holding your breath, you might panic and start swallowing seawater which is not good for the body.

With the number of drownings this year, the WHO labeled it a "serious public health issue". Everyone should be aware of the dangers posed by swimming pools, beaches, or rivers at all times, not just on vacation.

Unsupervised or unaccompanied children should not be allowed to swim. As for the older children, stop taking risks. And most importantly, do not combine swimming with drinking alcohol or, the stupidest of all, using illegal drugs.

The entire Philippines is surrounded by bodies of water, aside from the many lakes, rivers, and swimming pools. Everyone should learn how to swim and know what to do if someone or you yourself are in danger of drowning.