On July 15, six workers were killed at the flooded Noryangjin Reservior in Seoul.

When the cause of the accident was disclosed, it became clear that the accident was a “man-made disaster.” If even one of the several dozens of people responsible for the construction of the Noryangjin Reservoir had fulfilled their roles properly, the accident could have been avoided; however, it happened as all of them handled it with insensibility and complacency.

Three days later, on July 18, five second-year students attending Kongju National University High School were found dead after going missing at a private marines special camp held at Baeksajang beach in Taean County, South Chungcheong Province.

It was also reported that said students were instructed to get out of a boat without life vests and carry out a sea-water exercise, ignoring basic safety rules.

When the most basic safety rules are ignored or violated, an accident is inevitable.

Advanced prevention efforts by way of thorough abidance of safety rules is more important than post-recovery.

Along with the monsoon news, some areas are having record-breaking heavy rainfall. As the summer monsoon season reaches its end, full-scale vacation season is also approaching. Many people are visiting famous mountains, rivers and beaches for rest. Everybody should pay utmost attention to their individual health before going on vacation, safe driving on rainy roads and safety regarding food, clothing and shelter during their visit. Everybody should have a safe summer season by preventing accidents through thorough compliance with basic safety rules.

As schools and a lot of companies are off for summer vacation, the number of tourists visiting rivers, valleys and seaside areas is increasing. On July 18, the government issued a “watch on summer safety accidents for water activities” so as to prevent water accidents accordingly.

As most water activity accidents take place from late July to mid-August, this safety accident watch was issued to get people’s attention, publicize safety awareness and reinforce preventive activities as well as minimize personal injuries.

According to national data on water accidents for each summer in the last three years (2010-2012), accidents for 93 (68.9 percent) out of 135 injured people occurred between late July and mid-August. The major cause of water accidents was found to be safety ignorance, as 120 persons (89 percent) lost their lives when they did not abide by safety rules, had poor swimming abilities or swam after alcohol consumption.

More accidents happened in rivers (73 persons, 54.1 percent) than at beaches because rivers have many blind spots and water-activity areas are scattered over a wide area. Weekends (Saturday and Sunday) especially saw personal injuries of 83 persons (61.5 percent). As for the time of accident, 104 persons (77 percent) died between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

For this reason, a “safety management cooperation system for water activities” has been established with central ministries, local self-governing bodies and related agencies to minimize loss of human lives in July and August. We are devoting our energy to carrying out preventive activities such as operating a “special measures period” (from July 16 to Aug. 15), which involves the deployment of safety personnel and inspection of the safety management status of local self-governing bodies. Public service announcements through mass media including TV broadcasting and “safety education for water activities before summer vacation” for students in elementary, middle and high school are also ongoing to spread safety awareness during water activities. The 119 Citizen Water Rescue Team has also been set up to prevent water accidents during the summer season.

In addition, we conducted preventive education on water activities in summer for elementary school students. The fire department, so as to prevent water-related accidents, has instructed people to do warm-up exercises before swimming, wear a life vest and enter the water feet first. It is also important that people themselves observe safety rules such as avoiding swimming after drinking and refraining from reckless swimming.

People should take particular caution in the afternoon as people usually become relaxed and tired after lunch. If a place has a danger signboard for water activities, don’t go in because the place has a high risk of accident.

If personal injuries occur, do not try beyond your capability to rescue the victim. Quickly ask for help from a rescue worker such as the 119 citizen rescue team, or dial “119.” If the situation is urgent, it is recommended to use a tube or Styrofoam. 

By Woo Jae-bong

Woo Jae-bong is head of Daegu Firefighting and Safety Division. He can be reached at phoenix777@korea.kr. ― Ed.