Konyaaltı Beach lifeguards issue drowning prevention warnings

Lifeguards at Konyaaltı Beach in Antalya, one of Turkey’s busiest coastal areas, have issued safety warnings to prevent drowning incidents. Ahmet Gül, the Konyaaltı Beach Lifeguard Manager and an instructor for the Turkish Underwater Federation, highlighted several critical risks facing swimmers.

Gül noted that specific weather conditions increase danger: the Poyraz wind can create currents that sweep people out to sea, while the Lodos wind produces heavy waves that cause struggles near the shore. He warned that many individuals who cannot swim attempt to enter the water without proper equipment like life jackets, relying instead on inadequate flotation devices such as armbands or rings.

Experts also cautioned against common misconceptions regarding drowning. A person in distress may not be able to call for help because their priority is breathing, and their movements may appear irregular rather than rhythmic. Furthermore, Gül warned against untrained or unconscious rescue attempts, noting that a drowning person may inadvertently pull a rescuer underwater in a desperate attempt to stay afloat. He emphasized that attempting a rescue without floating equipment puts the rescuer at high risk of becoming a second victim.