Suggestion offered on how to prevent drownings
About 30 people, mostly tourists, drown every year in Maui waters.
Many more “nearly drown” (aspirate salt water) and require emergency care and hospitalization; some suffer lasting neurological deficits.
I suggest making personal flotation devices (PFDs) available at all public beaches and a campaign to promote their use for all who recreate in our waters. PFDs come in a variety of styles, for above and below water. They are not a hindrance. They are not expensive.
All drownings are preventable. Don’t aspirate or drown; wear a PFD and come out of the water smiling, not gasping or unresponsive.
Jeff Bigler
Wailuku