moggy wrote on 09. Aug 2012 at 15:34:


If the beach is deserted do not assume that the flags have been updated!

I also fail to see the relevance of mentioning lifeguards. People need to take responsibility for their own and their childrens safety and not rely on total strangers to save them.

[quote ]   If the beach is deserted do not assume that the flags have been updated!

I also fail to see the relevance of mentioning lifeguards. People need to take responsibility for their own and their childrens safety and not rely on total strangers to save them. [/quote]


Herby & Brian, Thanks for your responses.

Herby good point re the Flags

Fair comment ref Life Guards,      had not intended it to be for people to think Life Guards should take responsible for their children or themselves

The first link I provided in the OP was to a very recent/current fatal pool accident to a Toddler.  Condolences to the family/friends.

The 2nd link was an accident 5 years ago in late October.

Not sure believe it involved 6 children & 6 adults.  Something happened with the children

"The waters around the rock where they go to swim... it's relatively calm but they have very strong winds, very strong currents.”

Four adults had fatalities all children were saved.  The forth adult was a German Tourist.

At the time reading the article I dismissed it as people not taking care.
It was later pointed out to me, that two children were orphaned and another two lost a parent & the repercussions around that for the children & their relatives/friends would be permanent.

Neither incident happened in Greece / Crete.

For my own self, in my life I have had close calls. I got left behind at school the Care Taker took me home.  Once I lost my younger sister & her friend in the park, they were found safely.  On a beach in Crete that I was unfamiliar with, when lying sun-bathing, my lilo got blown away & out to sea quickly.   At the time saw the winds and sea, so took it as luck, I was not laying in the sea on it.

I certainly would be more vigilant with children and water.

I sometimes noticed with groups, that at least one of the adults would take it in turns to distance themselves from the group each day solely to keep watch un-distracted.

Unfortunately some people on holiday can get distracted.

There are different Rules in Greece to private and public pools.  When I say public I am including pools provided by hotels & other complexes

latsida wrote on 15. Aug 2012 at 15:19:


Yes accidents/fatalies from balconies accidents mainly in Spain.

quote the penultimate paragraph of your link:-

"Many young people also arrive without travel insurance. The FCO can't pay medical bills and holidaymakers may end up paying out thousands for medical bills and flights back to the UK."

Annual (12 months) Travel insurance for most people is so reasonable.  When I say most, I mean with the exception of things like if you recently had brain operation Or if you are going to take part in certain activies, like Ski-ing.
I take annual travel insurance for Europe.  If my life changes and I go to USA or take up ski-ing I can pay the difference and upgrade it for remainder of year.

There has been a fatality within the last week just outside of Rethymnon. A Russian couple chose to go swimming at around 21.30 one evening. She came out of the water but he did not. His body was washed up the following morning.

Adults or children, the same rules apply. Never take water for granted. Many of the beaches around Crete are affected by severe currents. I was always warned by my Cretan friends to take great care swimming off the main beach in Rethymnon, despite the presence of flags and more recently lifguards. Local people are aware of the risks and you ignore warnings at your peril.

Kathleen

latsida wrote on 15. Aug 2012 at 19:39:


Sorry to be pedantic but lifeguards have no legal right to prevent you swimming. They can only advise. Ditto beach flags.