On October 8, the Chinese Embassy in the Maldives issued a document reminding Chinese tourists to pay attention to the safety of water-related activities.
The article said that recently, a Chinese citizen unfortunately drowned in the waters near the resort island, which is deeply regrettable. The Embassy in the Maldives solemnly reminds Chinese citizens coming to Maldives to attach great importance to water-related safety, enhance risk prevention awareness, and participate in water-related activities with caution to ensure personal safety.
1. Be fully prepared before traveling
Before participating in wading activities, you should consider your age, physical condition, and swimming ability. Children, the elderly and those with weak water skills should be cautious when participating. It is not advisable to enter the water when drinking alcohol, taking medicine or feeling unwell. It is recommended to purchase overseas travel insurance that covers accidental injuries, medical expenses, emergency rescue, medical evacuation and related water-related activities, and understand the coverage, claim conditions and exemption clauses in advance, and properly keep the policy and emergency assistance contact information.
Before going to sea or participating in water-related activities, you should inform your family or emergency contact of your itinerary and expected return time, and keep contact information for hotels, travel agencies, activity operators, and local rescue.
2. Water-related activities must be formal
To participate in activities such as snorkeling, diving, swimming, boating, parasailing, etc., you should choose a regular travel agency, hotel or activity operator, understand the activity area, risk warnings, safety measures and emergency arrangements in advance, and obey the arrangements of coaches, lifeguards and staff. When participating in activities such as snorkeling, you should choose sea areas where professionals provide safety protection. Do not act alone or leave the designated area without authorization.
3. Water protection should be done well
When participating in wading activities, you should wear and check life jackets and other safety equipment correctly. During snorkeling and other activities, life jackets should be worn as required throughout the process. Those who cannot swim or are weak in water should not go into the water rashly; if you choose to swim, you should give priority to a safe swimming pool or a designated shallow water area, and be accompanied by someone with swimming ability. Do not go into the water alone. When wading in the water, do not distract yourself by taking pictures, filming, live streaming, etc. or risk entering the water.
A hotel or B&B does not mean the water is absolutely safe. Some resort hotels and B&Bs may not have lifeguards in the open waters, and the level of safety management also varies. Going into the water from the water house is also a wading activity. Before going into the water, you should confirm with the hotel whether it is allowed to go into the water, the designated area, the status of lifeguards on duty and emergency call methods, and take protective measures as required. Never enter the water from a water house or other non-designated locations at night, in bad weather, when sea conditions are unknown, or when safety is lacking.
4. Pay attention to weather and sea conditions
The Maldives is affected by the monsoon, and sea conditions will change with wind waves, swells, tides, etc., and conditions may also differ in different sea areas. Before going to sea or entering the water, you should learn about the latest weather and sea conditions from your hotel, travel agency, boat or activity operator, and pay attention to local weather warnings and safety tips. When encountering adverse weather and sea conditions such as strong winds, big waves, heavy rain, thunder and lightning, reduced visibility, etc., wading activities should be suspended or canceled and do not take chances.
5. Stay calm when encountering danger
If you experience dizziness, difficulty breathing, lack of energy, cramps, choking or falling into the water, you should immediately stop activities, stay calm, call for help, and seek help from coaches, lifeguards, hotel staff and other professionals in a timely manner. If you find someone else falling into the water, you should call for professional rescue as soon as possible and provide help while ensuring your own safety. Do not rush into the water for rescue to avoid secondary accidents. Some islands in the Maldives are far from major medical institutions. Rescue and medical transfer may be affected by weather, sea conditions and traffic conditions. More attention should be paid to prior precautions.
In case of emergency, please call the following numbers for help promptly:
Maldives Tourism Police Hotline: 1478 or 00960-9790070
Maldives police phone number: 119
Maldives emergency phone number: 911
The consular protection and assistance emergency hotline of the Chinese Embassy in the Maldives: 00960-3010639
Global Consular Protection and Service Emergency Call Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: +86-10-12308, +86-10-65612308
