What should swimmers do when waves suddenly intensify? PCG rescue diver gives life-saving tips

The deaths of two Ateneo Blue Eagles student-athletes, Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, shocked netizens early this month.

Baterbonia and Adili lost their lives in a drowning incident during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on Monday, June 8.

Following their deaths, Petty Officer 3rd Class Herbert Sindac of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Special Operations Unit reminded beachgoers and swimmers to stay alert and know the proper steps to take in the event of an emergency at sea.

Leave the water immediately

In Mariz Umali’s report in “Unang Balita” on Wednesday, Sindac, who is a rescue diver, emphasized that swimmers should immediately leave the water if waves become stronger than expected.

“Mas magandang gawin ng isang lumalangoy 'pag biglang lumakas ang alon, mas maganda umahon na lang siya,” Sindac explained.

“Dahil kung sakaling maliligo siya, pagpapatuloy niya ang pagligo sa dagat at tamaan siya ng malalakas na alon, pwede siya nitong igulong sa ilalim ng tubig at tumama ang kanyang ulo o mapilay ang kanyang mga kamay at paa hanggang siya malunod,” he added.

Understand the dangers of rip currents

One of the biggest hazards swimmers may encounter is a rip current.

“Ang rip current, ma'am, iyan 'yung maraming tubig na dala-dala ng malalaking alon sa shoreline na naiipon sa isang lugar at bumabalik papunta sa malalim na parte ng dagat.” Sindac shared.

If caught in a rip current, the coast guard officer advised swimmers not to panic.

“Kung sakaling naliligo pa at naipit ka sa rip current, ang una kauna-unahan mong dapat tandaan, huwag kang magpapanik,” Sindac said.

He also advised beachgoers not to swim directly against a rip current or force their way back to shore through its path, as this can quickly drain a person's energy and increase the risk of drowning.

Instead, swimmers caught in a rip current should remain calm, float to conserve energy, and observe the direction of the current.

“Ang dapat mong gawin, mag-floating ka, pakiramdaman ang current kung saan ang direction, and then pwede kang lumabas sa current na 'yun, left or right side. Kasi mayroon lang, mayroon lang portion ang current na laki na three to four meters,” Sindac explained.

What to do if you feel you are drowning

For swimmers who begin to feel exhausted in the water, Sindac recommends floating on their backs and making gentle arm movements to stay afloat while conserving energy.

“Kung sakaling naubusan ka na ng lakas, ang dapat mo lang gawin, mag-floating ka, humiga. Humiga sa dagat, kampay-kampay lang ng konti 'yung kamay para ma-reserve mo 'yung lakas mo habang naghihintay ka ng rescue, or kung walang dumating na rescue, may lakas ka para maglangoy, papunta sa shoreline," he said.

For rescuers: Don’t rush into the water

Sindac also warned against a common mistake made by bystanders who attempt to rescue drowning victims without proper training.

He advised one person should call for professional rescuers while others look for flotation devices, ropes, or long objects such as poles or pieces of wood that can be thrown or extended to the victim.

“Ang mas magandang gawin natin kung dalawa tayo o tatlo, 'yung isa tumawag ng rescuer, habang 'yung isa naghahanap ng pwedeng i-bato sa victim na lumulutang na bagay, or kung may makita siyang lubid o mahabang kahoy, pwede niyang iabot sa victim para hilahin pa tabi,” he said.

He likewise warned against immediately rushing in to rescue a drowning person without proper training or equipment. He explained that a person in distress can become panicked and may instinctively grab onto a rescuer, increasing the risk of both individuals drowning.

“'Wag kang basta-basta susugod. Kasi ang tendency nun ma'am, 'pag sumugod ka at mahawakan ka ng nalulunod na tao, may tendency malunod kayong dalawa. Kasi hamak na mas malakas ang nalulunod na tao kaysa sa normal na tao,” Sindac said.

“Halos 10 times ang lakas ng nalulunod kaysa sa normal na tao kasi 'yung nalulunod ma'am. Lahat ng pwedeng gawin, gagawin niyan. At 'yung tinatawag na adrenaline lumalabas sa tao 'pag nalulunod.”

Common mistakes that lead to drowning

Drawing from his experience as a rescue diver, Sindac identified three common mistakes that frequently contribute to drowning incidents:

“Nilalabag nila 'yung signage ng beach na kahit red flag na, pinipilit pa rin nilang maligo sa lugar na 'yun. Pangalawa, 'pag natangay sila ng current, nagpapanic na 'yun ang nakakaubos ng lakas ng tao 'pag nagpanic ka,” he said.

“Pangatlo, lumalangoy sila, pilit nilang nilalabanan 'yung current. Ang tendency, 'pag naubos ang lakas ng isang tao, lulubog na 'yan,” Sindac shared.

—Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA News