ABC News has just interviewed the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia’s (RLSSA) Justin Scarr regarding child drownings in Asia (click here for the video).
The Vietnam Swans worked closely with Justin and the RLSSA with the recent Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day at Montgomerie Links, Hoi An.
Meanwhile, just two days ago, there was a near double drowning tragedy in Saigon. Zam Bevan, an Aussie and work mate of Swannies’ Prez, Phil Johns, was spending a relaxing Saturday afternoon at a fish farm.
Suddenly, a fish took someone else’s fishing rod. A Vietnamese girl, while fully clothed, immediately jumped into the canal to swim after the disappearing rod. She was more than 70m out before she realised she didn’t have the strength to continue – or go back.
Her boyfriend jumped in and swum like a rock. Fortunately, he was easily retrieved.
Zam stripped off to his trunks and swum out to the girl who was by now completely exhausted. He was able to reach her and then bring her safely back into shore.
It was another reminder that drownings can happen anywhere, anytime – even while swimming after fishing rods.