Monday, June 30, 2025
29.9 C
Haikou

How to Dodge the Worst of May Holiday Traffic...

Plan your May Day trip smartly! Avoid traffic jams on Hainan highways with peak travel tips, scenic detours, and travel advice for a smooth holiday ...

Explore Hainan on a Budget: Special May Day Sightseeing...

Celebrate May Day holiday with unforgettable budget sightseeing bus tours across Hainan! Take advantage of limited-time special offers on five exclusive routes, plus extra discounts on popular island and rainforest tours …

Starting March 20, All New Energy Vehicles Entering Hainan...

Starting March 20, Xuwen Port will no longer handle ferry services for new energy vehicles. Instead, all such services will be managed exclusively by Hai’an New Port ...

Sanya Implements New Hotel Cancellation Rules to Improve Tourist...

Sanya has introduced new hotel cancellation guidelines, allowing full refunds for early cancellations and prioritizing consumer rights through the "Sanya Worry-Free Travel" platform ...
spot_img
HomeHealth and welfareNew initiative on...

New initiative on swimming education and safety for primary and secondary school students

June 15th, a promotion meeting to launch a swimming education initiative for primary and secondary school students was held in Haikou.

It is now required that primary school students across the province have to learn how to swim by the end of August and all students from grade four to grade three in junior high school must learn to swim by the end of November. Schools are now required to actively promote swimming education amongst primary and secondary school students as a priority.

As a part of the initiative, swimming pools will be built and put into use across 13 towns that previously didn’t have them by the end of 2021.

To ensure that swimming education for primary and secondary students runs according to plans, supervision over safety management, training processes, qualification assessments and facilities will be enforced.

Schools have ben told to ensure that all the completed swimming pools are put into use, training is carried out and issues are dealt with accordingly.

Benefits of swimming

Swimming is one of the most effective ways to burn calories: 30 minutes exercising in the water is worth 45 minutes of the same activity on land. Regular swimming can lower stress levels, reduce anxiety and depression and improve your sleep patterns.

According to the The Health and Wellbeing Benefits of Swimming report, June 2017 Swimming also improves heart health, lowers blood pressure, improves lung capacity, increases bone strength and reduces joint pain as it is a low impact sport. Regular swimming can help to reduce long-term health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes by up to 40 per cent.

Aside from the health benefits of swimming, one of the greatest benefits to learning how to swim is having the ability to save oneself and offer a helping hand to others in emergency situations.

Each year it is not uncommon to hear across local news channels about fishermen and children drowning in sea water, rivers and lakes in Hainan.

According to stopdrowningnow.org around 3,400 people die from drowning each year and drowning is the leading cause of death for ages 1- 4, followed by age group 5-9 years.

Males are especially at risk of drowning, with twice the overall mortality rate of females.

Children 5 to 17 years old are more likely to drown in natural water, such as ponds or lakes.

The new initiative to promote swimming education and water safety to students will surely have a positive effect on future generations. Students who learn these valuable skills and gain confidence in the water while they are young will then be able to pass on this knowledge on to their children, family members and friends.

Advice to tourists on water safety in Hainan

If you are coming to visit Hainan, then there’s a high chance you are going to end up at one of the many beaches on the island. Most of the touristy beaches such as the ones in Sanya are sign posted with information on where to swim, have life guards on duty and there are generally lots of other people around to help sgould an emergency situation should arise.

There are lots of wild beaches and bays on the island (off the beaten track) that have very little support should you find yourself in an emergency situation. If you visit one of these beaches then one of the main things to look out for is rip tides.

Rip tides account for a large percentage of beach rescues across the globe and if help isn’t at hand you’ll need to know how to self rescue from a rip.

Rip-current
Rip current warning sign on beach


1. A rip current is a narrow, fast-moving channel of water that starts near the beach and extends offshore through the line of breaking waves.

2. It won’t pull you under, but it will drag you out to sea. Try and stay calm.

3. Rips are very powerful, don’t fight it, you’ll just grow tired – instead float!

4. Wave and yell – try and get the attention of people on shore or boats.

5. Try and swim parallel to the shore to escape the rip, then swim at an angle back to shore

If you see someone caught in a rip tide, don’t go in after them. Call for help and throw something in the water that floats or extend an object for them to grab a hold of.

Rip tide information from Ocean Today. For more information and videos, click the link

Related article: Hot tips for keeping your doggies cool this summer

Leave a Comment:

Make-a-comment-or-complaint
Comment

- Advertisement -

spot_img

Related articles:

Medical Insurance for Foreign Talents in Hainan; What you Need to Know

As Hainan moves closer to becoming a fully operational Free Trade Port, one of the most meaningful reforms taking shape is in healthcare access. For the growing number of international residents, whether working professionals, students, or long-term visitors, the province is steadily building a medical insurance system that offers real, practical support …

Tourist Dies After Suspected Snake Bite in Sanya

A 27-year-old woman died in Sanya, after being bitten by what experts believe was a venomous snake. The incident, which occurred shortly after midnight on June 2, 2025, has raised concerns about emergency response and medical readiness in the area …

Haikou Launches Free Hepatitis B Vaccination Program for Adults Aged 20–50

Starting April 10, Haikou residents aged 20–50 can receive free hepatitis B vaccinations under a public health initiative aimed at reducing HBV infections and related diseases …

The Hidden Dangers of Milk Tea: What’s Really in Your Favorite Drink?

Milk tea may be your go-to comfort drink, but new investigations and analysis show that beneath its creamy, sweet allure lies a mix of caffeine, sugar, and additives that may be more harmful than you think …

Get weekly email updates for new articles published!

Haikou
light rain
29.9 ° C
29.9 °
29.9 °
89 %
2.5kmh
100 %
Mon
29 °
Tue
31 °
Wed
30 °
Thu
30 °
Fri
30 °

Cosy Stays Beyond the Ordinary

Relax, Unwind, and Explore Hainan's Hidden Gems

Puerto Libre Tapas: A Taste of Latin and Mediterranean Cuisine

Located in Xiuying District, Haikou, Puerto Libre Tapas brings together Latin and Mediterranean flavors in a relaxed and inviting setting. The warm decor blends Mediterranean charm with Latin energy, making it a great spot for a casual meal or special night out ...

The Paddy Shack: A Taste of Comfort in Chengmai

Tucked away in the quiet streets of Laocheng Town, Chengmai, just outside Haikou, The Paddy Shack is a welcoming spot for anyone craving hearty...

Batumi: A Taste of Georgia in Haikou

Haikou's dining scene just got a flavorful upgrade with Batumi Georgian Food and Wine. If you're looking to try something new, this is the...
spot_img

Bored? Need to get out more?

Latest News ...

Magnificent Yahu Rice Terraces or Tourism and Marketing Hype?

Rapid tourism development has transformed what was once a working agricultural landscape into a managed tourist attraction. It has generated significant marketing hyperbole heavily promoting the area far beyond what the actual experience delivers …

Haikou School Closure Status During Typhoon Wutip

Haikou's kindergartens are closed today (Friday, June 13, 2025) due to Typhoon Wutip's impact on Hainan Island. According to the latest Chinese-language sources, Haikou City, along with Ding'an and Tunchang counties, upgraded their typhoon warnings from blue to yellow on June 12th afternoon ...

How Strong Is Topical Storm Wutip? Projected Intensity and Classification

Typhoon Wutip is projected to reach wind speeds of 25 to 33 meters per second (m/s), which corresponds to Beaufort scale levels 10 to 12. This is not considered a "super typhoon" or one of the largest storms, but it is still a "big" storm by general standards …

Blue Typhoon Alert Issued for Sanya

A tropical depression is expected to affect Sanya over the next 24 hours. Winds in coastal and inland areas will intensify, with sustained speeds reaching Level 6 and gusts up to Levels 7–8. The system will also bring heavy rain and severe thunderstorms. Residents and organizations are urged to take precautions ...
spot_img

Looking for an international pre-school in Haikou?

Flora's International Preschool has three preschools in the Haikou area. Our schools follow a European curriculum

Continue Reading ...

A Taste of Georgia in Haikou: Wine, Cuisine, and Culture Night at Batumi

On Friday, June 20th, 2025, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, Batumi will bring a piece of Georgia to Haikou with an event that combines traditional Georgian cuisine, five varieties of Georgian wine, and live music …

“Our Expression” – Li Ethnic Plant Dye & Rattan Weaving Art Exhibition in Hainan

Explore "Our Expression," a showcase of Li ethnic plant dye and rattan weaving from Wuzhishan’s Maodao Township. Open until July 14, 2025, at the Hainan Provincial Cultural Center in Haikou. Includes workshops and activities on June 21–22 …

Hainan to Host 2025 UCI Granfondo World Series Qualifier

The UCI Granfondo World Series includes a new qualifying event in Hainan, in December 2025, offering amateur cyclists a chance to compete for a place at the 2026 World Championships in Japan …

Get weekly email updates for new articles published!

Never miss another important notice or event. Be informed of what you need to know, when you need to know it.