Sail but can't swim?

Recently, an undergraduate passed away from a sailing incident in the waters off Singapore coast. What struck me was that the undergrad did not know how to swim. All sports have their inherent dangers, some being more dangerous than others. However, there are always ways to mitigate those risks. Learning to swim before getting into a sailboat is one of them. And if you know you can't swim, then you better wear a life jacket, even if it gets in the way of sailing. Because that is what is going to save you.

Water sports are dangerous. Yet, by not observing simple rules and following common sense (such as wearing a life jacket, especially when you don't know how to swim), you just end up putting yourself at greater risk. No one should be watching out for your safety more than yourself.

Even after swimming 15km in the sea before, I myself am careful, and wear my life jacket when on small boats. Even though I can swim in the sea (very much different from swimming in the pool), I rarely swim out more than 100m from the coast, since no one really knows when you can get swept away by the current.

Let's exercise some common sense, take care of our own safety, and not expect to blame others for our own mistakes.