XN000022-1981-05-17 — Page 6

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SUNDAY, MAY 17, 1981

MR CHAM POINTED OUT THAT IN THE FIRST PLACE, A SWIMMER

BEFORE MUST KNOW HIS PHYSICAL CAPABILITY AND LIMITATION.

HE SWIMS TOO FAR OUT TO SEA, HE SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT HE

IT IS WILL HAVE ENOUGH STRENGTH TO SWIM BACK TO SHORE. NOT WISE TO OVER-STRETCH ONE'S ABILITY FOR THE SAKE OF SHOWING OFF.

HE SAID, IF YOU ARE NOT A GOOD SWIMMER, DON'T GO FURTHER THAN WAIST-DEEP. PREFERABLY, LEARN TO SWIM WELL IN A SWIMMING POOL BEFORE TACKLING WAVES AND TIDES IN THE SEA.+

+WHEN YOU GO SWIMMING, CHOOSE A BEACH WHERE THERE ARE LIFE GUARDS. IF YOU PREFER TO GO TO REMOTE AND LESS CROWDED SPOTS, BE SURE TO GO ALONG WITH YOUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY SO THAT SOMEONE WILL BE AROUND SHOULD YOU GET INTO TROUBLE AND REQUIRE ASSISTANCE, HE ADDED.

MANY BEACHES IN HONG KONG HAVE SAFE SWIMMING AREAS CLEARLY MARKED WITH BOOM LINES. IT IS ADVISABLE TO KEEP WITHIN THE DESIGNATED AREAS.

MR CHAM ALSO REMINDED SWIMMERS TO BEWARE OF WAVES, THEY CAN FLIP YOU AND POSSIBLY INJURE YOU.

FOR

*LOOK OUT FOR AND AVOID STRONG CURRENTS. SLICK PATCHES OF WATER A DIFFERENT COLOUR TO THE SURROUNDING OCEAN WATER CAN MEAN FAST-MOVING WATER WHICH COULD DRAG YOU AWAY FROM SHORE OR BASH YOU AGAINST ROCKS, HE SAID.

+ IF YOU EVER FIND YOURSELF IN TROUBLE, REMEMBER YOU MUST KEEP CALM, THEN RAISE YOUR RIGHT ARM AND SHOUT FOR ASSISTANCE, TRYING AT THE SAME TIME, TO TREAD WATER OR FLOAT ON YOUR BACK, HE ADDED.

SINCE SUMMER IS ALSO THE TYPHOON SEASON IN HONG KONG, IT IS ADVISABLE TO LISTEN TO THE WEATHER FORECAST AND FIND OUT WHETHER THE RED FLAG HAS BEEN HOISTED AT ANY BEACH BEFORE LEAVING HOME. RED FLAG MEANS IT IS DANGEROUS FOR SWIMMERS TO ENTER THE WATER.

+

MR CHAM SAID, IGNORING THIS WARNING MEANS PUTTING YOUR LIVES IN PERIL.+

ANOTHER RULE TO REMEMBER IS NEVER SWIM IMMEDIATELY AFTER A MEAL OR WHEN YOU ARE HUNGRY. ALLOW AT LEAST AN HOUR'S REST AFTER MEAL BEFORE YOU TAKE A DIP. IF YOU ARE TIRED OR HAVE HAD SOME ALCOHOLIC DRINKS, IT IS NOT ADVISABLE FOR YOU TO SWIM.

EQUALLY IMPORTANT IS NOT TO STAY IN THE WATER TOO LONG ESPECIALLY IF IT IS VERY COLD- AND ONE SHOULD NOT WEAR MASKS OR SNORKELS UNLESS ONE IS TRAINED TO USE THEM. IT IS DIFFICULT TO SHOUT FOR HELP WITH SUCH EQUIPMENT ON, MR CHAM EXPLAINED.

/HE POINTED