"Drowning are all preventable" - LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,
Thank you for your enlightening piece on the article, "Drowning are all preventable" in the July 8th issue. The summery weather these days make it a perfect day for any water activities and this article has done an amazing job on emphasizing on the grave matter of drowning, although a more descriptive on how the kids drowned because usually it is just a little accident or mistake that leads to the big issue. It is a big problem as statistics has shown how many deaths occurred within the GTA. Some may think these unfortunate cases may not happen to them, but they can and it is our responsibilities to take action because in the end if any of these happens to any of us, it is our lose, not those who reads on it on the news.

Most kids in the GTA participate in many sport activities, however, not many participate in swimming. Why is that? First of all, the problem lies on how our P.E. system is built. P.E. mainly focuses on drug issues and abstinence. It becomes a cliché because every year we learn the same thing. Don't do drugs because it's bad for you. Unprotected sex can lead to STD. Why are we not learning about drowning? If we make this a part of the curriculum in the P.E. education I think the kids may be more aware on how to be safe. In addition, while we learn the basics, soccer, basketball, baseball, we do not learn swimming. I think putting swimming as part as the curriculum is stretching it because it is impossible to learn swimming in a short period of time and most schools cannot afford to pay the cost of the pool. However, after this unit, why don't we have a field trip to the pool? Unlike the science trip centers, and sorry to the science teacher out there, it's boring. Swimming on the other chance, allows us to interact with others and have fun. It's a perfect way for kids to actually enjoy their field trip.

Also, I think the rules should be stricter. For example, any condominium should have a lifeguard to watch the kids because some parents may be busy. There should be a fine on anyone who would ride a boat without a lifejacket, because as this article has suggested no matter how good of a swimmer you are, the chances are very little compared to the rough waves of the sea. Lastly, there should be more free community service to teach citizens about swimming. It doesn't have to be intense lessons. Cut the butterfly, breaststroke, or any other fancy style of swimming. Even the most basic style of swimming, front crawls and backstroke, is enough to increase the chances the surviving.

I remember a day where I was swimming with a friend in my townhouse swimming where there was no lifeguards, accepts parents. I was playing with my brother and as a joke I pulled on his leg and within seconds my brother was in the water. My brother at that time was kindergarten and didn't know how to swim. My friend was on the other side of the pool and didn't notice anything. In matter of seconds I was down and just pulled him up without having any time to tell others. Fortunately, he was light enough and didn't go down that it was hard for me to pull him up, but for a moment there everything it was a matter of life and death. With my personal experience, I think an article explaining about drowning and how to prevent it from happening from our beloved ones is a great way to begin a safe summer.

it is our responsibility to take action


it is our loss , not those who follow it on the news.


I think including swimming as part of the curriculum is stretching it might not help


I guess you want to say Science trip centers are boring and swimming is unlike these trips. You can rephrase it to..

Unlike the science trip centers, which are usually boring - sorry to the science teacher out there - swimming on the other chance, allows us to interact with others and have fun. It's a perfect way for kids to actually enjoy their field trip.


no matter how good a swimmer you are


Can you be more clear on this point? You want the swimmers to wear a life jacket or not?


is enough to increase the chances of surviving


I remember an instance , when I was swimming with a friend in my townhouse pool, where there were no lifeguards,but only our parents.


but for a moment there everything was a matter of life and death


prevent it from happening to our beloved ones is a great way to begin a safe summer.