Selected Reading Material: Near Drowning / Rescued from Drowning
Read the following passage and take note of the underlined content.
DO NOT skip reading as it is important to see how the underlined content is used in this article. (How they are used in context) The report "Father drowns while trying to save son from strong current" (The Straits Times, Dec 11) shows the dangers of the sea and of attempting to rescue a person in the water. The Singapore Life Saving Society would like to highlight the dangers of trying to rescue someone in water. Both trained rescuers and lay persons have been known to become victims in the course of attempting to rescue others. This may be due to a lack of the necessary skills, fitness or equipment. It may also be due to a misjudgment of the conditions present. Therefore, it is always better to prevent the occurrence of a drowning situation than to attempt a rescue. However, in the unfortunate case where there is a need to rescue someone, the paramount consideration should always be the lifesaver's own safety and rescues that can be performed without entering the water are safer. For example, a reach (with a pole) or throw (with a rope) rescue should always be considered first. Only when such techniques are not likely to work should the rescuer consider entering the water. Even then, he should enter the water as far as possible with rescue aids like life buoys or swim floats. These may then be passed to the victim to keep him buoyant and reduce the need to make contact. The reason for avoiding contact is that a person in difficulties in the water is likely to grab at anything that floats and that includes the rescuer. We encourage people to take up a lifesaving course to equip themselves with the knowledge and skills necessary for safer rescue attempts so that they are prepared should the need arise. Modified from Letter from Honorary Secretary-General, Richard Tan Ming Kirk, 14 December 2006, http://www.slss.org.sg/Local%20Press%20Media.htm
Part One
Are you familiar with the meaning of the words in red? Look up the meaning of the words in the dictionary. Then, try out this Online Activity. (Direct link to an online quiz, with no ad links, as usual!) The activity will open in a new window. After completing it, you just need to close it. You do not need to 'Return to Main Menu'. The scores will not be recorded. Enjoy and Learn! Part Two
After studying the above article, let's view 2 related videos (see link below). Video Resources for Writing: Rescued at Swimming Pool Video Resources for Writing: Rescued at the Beach We can summarise what we have learnt. The following content can be very useful for writing compositions related to drowning and water rescue: 1)The people around the struggling swimmers did not know that someone was drowning. They were oblivious to what was going on. 2) Both of the children's heads were bobbing up and down the water. They were trying desperately to gasp for air. 3) Although both the boy and the girl were splashing about the water frantically, to the other swimmers, they looked like they were 'playing' or fooling around. 4) Both the boy and the girl could not scream or wave their hands for help. 5) Swimmers can drown too. 6) Experienced swimmers and trained rescuers can also be victims of drowning because they do not have adequate skills are misjudged the condition around them (e.g. sharp rocks). 7) A rescuer should try to perform the rescue without entering the water first e.g. throw a buoy or reach out a stick. 8) If a rescuer must get into the water, he should bring a floating device with him e.g. a life buoy (remember the video of the pool rescue?) 9) A drowning person is likely to grab anything or anyone near him. Sometimes this can endanger the live of the rescuer. The above 9 key points can already form a very realistic composition about drowning and rescue! Let's apply what we have learnt in a sample question in Part Three. |
Part Three
Let's use the video of the pool rescue from 'Video Resources for Writing: Rescue at Swimming Pool'. The still at 0:29 can be used as a question for a picture composition. Sample Question
Write a composition of at least 150 words based on the above situation. You must use the following points in your story:
You may reorder the points and add any other relevant points. |
For samples of suggested compositions written for this question, please buy my ... Kidding. They are available at 'Collection of Suggested Compositions' or HOME page. |