For many people, one near-drowning experience is enough to keep them out of the water for life.
But for 33-year-old administrative assistant Nurul Amira Shamsuddin, better known as Mira, surviving seven near-drowning incidents has never diminished her love of the water.
Although each experience was terrifying, she says none has taken away her enjoyment of being in the water. Instead, they have made her more cautious.
Three of those incidents have stayed with her the most.
Mira’s first brush with near-drowning happened when she was six during a family trip to Morib beach in Banting, Selangor.
“My cousins rented two lifebuoys and took all of us children out to the sea,” she recalls.
“I remember my cousin holding onto the lifebuoy, but he didn’t realise I was behind him.
“The lifebuoys drifted into me, and I fell into the water.”
Another cousin noticed her floating several metres away and pulled her to safety.
“We were all just children.
“We didn’t really understand what had happened,” Mira says.
Years later, during another family outing at Sungai Inki in Hulu Selangor, she found herself in danger again.
“I followed my father and cousins into the river. I must have stepped into a deeper section without realising it.”
Before Mira knew it, the current slowly carried her away.
“I was underwater with my eyes open. I could see people looking down at me from the surface, but I couldn’t shout for help,” she shares.
Nearby visitors spotted her and pulled her from the water before she was swept further downstream.
Another frightening experience came after she completed her Malaysian Higher School Certificate (STPM) and was attending the National Service Training Programme (PLKN), where participants underwent water-confidence training.
One exercise required 10 participants to stand in a circle while holding hands in the water.
“Everything was fine until one of my friends standing beside me suddenly panicked.”
Panic spread through the group and those standing nearest to the affected person were pulled underwater together despite wearing life jackets.
Mira says: “The instructor quickly separated the panicked participant and calmed everyone down.
“Once we relaxed, our bodies naturally floated again.”
The experience showed her how quickly fear can escalate in the water.
“At that time, I still didn’t know how to swim. I really thought I was going to drown,” she says.
Although the incident stayed with her for several days, it never stopped her from returning to the water.
Today, Mira has since learnt to swim, but rarely ventures into the water alone and is more cautious.
“Even if you’re a good swimmer, you never know when something unexpected could happen,” she says.
“It’s always safer to have someone with you.”
Mira also believes children should learn to swim from a young age to build confidence and develop essential water safety skills.
“Nowadays, we see many parents sending their children for swimming classes, and that’s a very good thing,” she says.
Steps to safely rescue a drowning person
1. Talk Rescue: Guide the person to safety without entering the water. Give short, clear instructions such as, “Grab the wall!”, “Hold the rope!” or “Come this way!” A person in panic may not notice a nearby wall, lane rope or flotation aid. Calm, direct instructions can help them focus and reach safety.
2. Throw Rescue: If talking isn’t enough, throw the person something that floats. This could be a life buoy, kickboard, pool noodle, rope or any buoyant object. Aim to throw it within their reach so they can hold on and stay afloat. Even improvised flotation aids, such as an empty six-litre plastic bottle, can help in an emergency.
3. Reach Rescue: If the person is close enough, reach out from a safe position. Extend a rope, pole, towel or even a t-shirt for them to grab. If you have to use your hand, lie down instead of standing to reduce the risk of being pulled into the water. Avoid getting too close to the edge.
4. Contact Rescue Entering the water should always be the last resort. Only trained rescuers or certified lifeguards with the proper rescue equipment should attempt an in-water rescue. For the public, the safest approach is to use the three methods above whenever possible. — Photos: RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star Location: PJ Sports Centre, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
