Weekend characterised by drowning

Weekend characterised by drowning in Norway

There have been several drowning accidents this weekend, but fewer drown in connection with bathing, the rescue company’s overview shows.

Three persons have lost their lives or are believed to have died from drowning during the heatwave so far.

Twenty-four-year-old Kristoffer Skretteberg Syvertsen lost his life in a drowning accident Drammenselva just south of Åmot in Buskerud on Saturday. Earlier in the day, a thirty-year-old man from Eidsvoll died from drowning in Hurdal in Akershus.

The search continues for twenty-year-old Martin Morgenlien Skamo from Enebakkneset in Fet, who fell out of a boat in Lake Hemnes in Akershus during the night before Sunday. He is believed to have perished.

“The municipality of Aurskog-Høland, in collaboration with Søndre Høland sports and youth association, opened the doors to Søndrehallen on Sunday afternoon. Health personnel, employees of Aurskog-Høland Municipality, police and a deacon are available to family and acquaintances of Skamo,” Indre Akershus Blad writes.

Fewer bathing accidents

there have also been several cases where persons have been rescued out of the water alive this weekend, in addition to the deaths by drowning.

The rescue company connects the number of drownings the recent days with the heatwave.

“More Norwegians are drawn towards and into the sea when the weather is warm. The water is the finest we have, but scary if you do not master it,” Communications Consultant of the Norwegian Rescue Company, Eigil Andersen, tells NTB.

The Rescue Company (RSS) see a change in the cause of drowning accidents.

“We’ve had many bathing-related drownings in the summer in the past. We now see a wider flora of causes. Fewer drown in connection with bathing/swimming than before,” Andersen continues.

The most common cause of drowning accidents, year-round, is falling from land and jetties. There have been more diving and drowning following falls from leisure-boats so far this year. Two out of seven drowning accidents in the first part of July occurred in connection with bathing, compared with five out of seven in the same period last year.

Eigil Andersen advises all bathers to familiarise themselves with ground conditions, and also get an overview of how to get back out of the water.

Look for quiet, passive behaviour

The Norwegian Rescue Company further encourages anyone in a recreational boat, or near the beach, to lift their gaze. It can be difficult to spot a person who is drowning!

“You won’t hear screams from a human being that is drowning. Look for abnormal, quiet and passive behaviour. Anyone who is drowning will use all energy to stay afloat and will not be able to fix the gaze,” Eigil Andersen explains.

Men are over-represented in the drowning statistics.

“Men take bigger chances, swim further out and overrate themselves,” Andersen asserts.

So far this year, forty-five persons have died from drowning in Norway. That is fifteen fewer than last year, according to last week’s statistics.

Several drowning accidents in Norway – man died at Lake Hurdal
Norway’s highest recorded heat temperature of 35.6 degrees can be tangled in Nordland
Heat record in Bergen: 33.3 degree Celsius