'Carry life jackets when going to the beaches in Oman'

Energy Monday 23/January/2017 22:21 PM
By: Times News Service
'Carry life jackets when going to the beaches in Oman'

Muscat: Never go to the beach without a life jacket, a senior official at the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) cautioned after a teenage girl drowned at a beach in Oman.
The 16-year-old girl was found dead after she reportedly drowned at Jalan Bani Bu Ali beach last Saturday.
“In eastern parts of Oman, strong sea currents affect many locations and these could pull down swimmers,” Masud Al Mamari, head of PACDA’s rescue department, told the Times of Oman.
This was due to the nature of land beneath the ocean.
Another official at PACDA said people visiting the beach should not venture too far into the sea for swimming.
“When swimming, adult, expert swimmers should keep a close eye on their children even if they are close to them,” he said.
“Around two years ago in Shinas, a father could not save his daughter due to strong currents even though they were swimming close to each other at the beach,” he added.
Al Mamari said life jackets play a crucial role in saving lives.
“During any trip to the sea or a picnic by the beach side, both adults and children should wear life jackets,” he said.
Shops dealing in fishing gear or sports goods sell such life jackets, Al Mamari added.
“These may cost between OMR3 for jackets that last for just a couple of hours to more than OMR30 for ones that can keep a person afloat for more than a week,” he said.