VOICES 28 THURSDAY JULY 10 2008 TODAY
WATER SPORTS SAFETY
Another death: Isn’t it time we learn?
see full article at http://www.todayonline.com/pdf_main.asp?pubdate=20080710

OFFICIAL GUIDELINES ON PERSONAL FLOATATION AIDS (Lift Vests)
Under the panel’s recommendations:
The IDBF water safety policy makes the wearing of Personal Floatation Aids (PFAs) conditional as dragon boaters generally compete in sheltered or placid waters.
Where the conditions are otherwise, the Safety Inquiry Panel supports the IDBF rules which makes it compulsory for PFAs to be worn, as PFAs do aid in the saving of lives.
Crew managers should therefore demand participants wear PFAs in adverse racing or training conditions.

The IDBF Members Handbook adds:
In a formal competitive event and on a placid water course ...
the IDBF Rules of Racing do not require an experienced competitor to wear a PFA (Life Vest)
However, even in perfect racing conditions, both the boat helm and drummer are advised to wear PFAs
In an informal competitive event, such as a festival race, all competitors are advised to wear PFAs
In adverse racing ... especially in open water or rivers, crew managers of experienced crew should advise all their competitors to wear PFAs
Note: Open water is defined as large and very large inland lakes and reservoirs, tidal estuaries, open harbours and the sea.
It is the crew manager’s responsibility to ensure that ... any weak swimmers are provided with PFAs

Closure? More Pain, More Questions

So the Safety Inquiry report is out. So is the response from the SDBA.
The Today paper weekend edition however aptly proclaims the status.
"Dragon Boat Tragedy: Questions remain. see online at http://www.todayonline.com/pdf_mid.asp?id=3105NLW008&pubdate=20080531&publication=TODAY&sp=0

Seems that no one is to be blamed. Nothing could have been done to avoid this unfortunate accident???

Just like ST Friday June 6th. Open verdict on teens who died in crash.
A sports car carrying two teenagers crashed and burst into flames along Sixth Avenue in the early hours or Aug 25 last year. "They could have been in high spirits, and may have been enjoying the sensation of high speed, and a momentary distraction could have caused the accident." STATE CORONOR VICTOR YEO,
In the case of our National Dragon Boat Team, it seems that no one is willing to say that they failed to do what needed to be done.

from the ST forum June 3rd,2008.
NO ACCOUNTABILITY
"The inquiry panel failed to take action against those accountable who placed our Singapore youth at risk."
Ms Caron Chan: "When it comes to problems, we dig at the roots and find out what went wrong. This time, however, we dug into what happened in Cambodia that caused five deaths, but came up with no firm suggestions except to affirm some basic safety procedures which should have been in place since we started sending teams to competitions overseas."

One of the SI panel's findings was The Low Safety Awareness of all involved.
My question is WHO is responsible to ensure the safety awareness of the team?
Why weren't the IDBF's Water Safety Policy followed before Nov 2007?
(International Dragon Boat Federation see http://www.idbf.org/documents/Water_Safety_Policy.pdf)

Someone needs to ensure that there is no lapse in following the IDBF guidelines from now on.
Not just for the National Team but also all Dragon Boat teams (schools etc).

Find out why the IDBF want teams to practise Capsize drills.
Perhaps it is because races are held in open water and/or with non-standard dragon boats, where there is a possibility of capsizing?
The officials must find a safe way to practise capsize drills.
Maybe the SDBF can bring in a typical non-standard/traditional boat used in overseas races?

Should our rowers bring along their Personal Flotation Aids (LIFE VESTS) and also their oars (if those in the competition are of different sizes)?? What needs to be done to make sure our children come home safely to us??