Tunisia: Expert warns of child drowning risks from inflatable floats

Sami Mheni, a marine science expert, has issued a stark warning regarding a rise in child drownings along Tunisia's coastlines. He attributes many of these tragedies to the use of inflatable swimming rings and floats. Mheni stated in a radio interview that many of these devices available commercially fail to meet current safety regulations.

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The bouys and floats marketed on the market do not comply with current safety standards.

He urged parents to exercise the utmost caution, emphasizing the critical need for constant visual supervision of children while they are swimming. Maintaining a safe distance from children using flotation devices is also essential, he stressed.

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The main risks associated with the use of these pneumatic equipment are multiple.

Mheni detailed several dangers associated with these inflatable aids. One significant risk is the sudden overturning of the buoy, which can trap a child underwater. Children can also slip through the openings of the floats, falling into the sea. Furthermore, the lightweight nature of these devices makes them susceptible to drifting away rapidly due to currents and wind, potentially carrying children far from shore.

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The first danger lies in the sudden overturning of the buoy, which can end up upside down, trapping the child underwater without him being able to right himself.

Finally, the expert highlighted the persistent risk of punctures. Even a small leak can destabilize the float and cause it to lose buoyancy, leaving a child in peril.

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There is also a risk of slipping downwards, as young children can easily pass through the openings of the buoy and fall into the sea.