新西兰英语 91 Water Safety

　　Drowning is a big problem around the world and is the second most common cause of accidental death. New Zealand also has a very high rate of drowning with only road accidents and falls causing more deaths by accident. From 2003-2007 an average of 114 people died annually¹ from drowning and Matt Claridge, General Manager of Water Safety New Zealand, believes that the number of people drowning each year will rise to 180 by 2030. With summer here, people should be aware of the dangers of water as drownings can often be prevented.
Those most likely to drown include men aged² 18-35, who are more likely to be involved in high risk activities on the water such as diving, fishing or water-skiing. Senior Sergeant³ Bruce Adams from the Police National Dive Squad⁴ says people should know how to use equipment before taking it out on the water and ACC want people to check the marine⁵ forecast and wear a lifejacket.
Young children also have a high risk of drowning with pre-schoolers making up 70% of childhood drownings. Close adult supervision⁶ is essential in keeping young children safe around water. Teresa Stanley from Water Safe Auckland says adults should be focused on the child, not reading, talking or texting. It is a good idea to enroll⁷ children in swimming lessons so that they have the ability and confidence to swim.
School children used to learn to swim at school but changes to the curriculum⁸ and funding pressures mean that schools are not always able to provide lessons and they might not have the facilities to do so anymore. According to Water Safety New Zealand 239 school pools were closed between 2003-2005 so schools may not even have the facilities to do so anymore. Parents should teach their children to swim between the patrolled⁹ flags at the beach and to wave their arms in the air if they need help.
This article was contributed by Anita Jones

1 annually   

adv.一年一次，每年

参考例句：

• Many migratory birds visit this lake annually.许多候鸟每年到这个湖上作短期逗留。
• They celebrate their wedding anniversary annually.他们每年庆祝一番结婚纪念日。

2 aged   

adj.年老的，陈年的

参考例句：

• He had put on weight and aged a little.他胖了，也老点了。
• He is aged,but his memory is still good.他已年老，然而记忆力还好。

3 sergeant   

n.警官，中士

参考例句：

• His elder brother is a sergeant.他哥哥是个警官。
• How many stripes are there on the sleeve of a sergeant?陆军中士的袖子上有多少条纹？

4 squad   

n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组

参考例句：

• The squad leader ordered the men to mark time.班长命令战士们原地踏步。
• A squad is the smallest unit in an army.班是军队的最小构成单位。

5 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

6 supervision   

n.监督，管理

参考例句：

• The work was done under my supervision.这项工作是在我的监督之下完成的。
• The old man's will was executed under the personal supervision of the lawyer.老人的遗嘱是在律师的亲自监督下执行的。

7 enroll   

v.招收；登记；入学；参军；成为会员（英)enrol

参考例句：

• I should like to enroll all my children in the swimming class.我愿意让我的孩子们都参加游泳班。
• They enroll him as a member of the club.他们吸收他为俱乐部会员。

8 curriculum   

n.课程，（学校等的）全部课程

参考例句：

• Is German on your school's curriculum?你们学校有德语课吗？
• The English curriculum should stress both composition and reading.英语课程对作文和阅读应同样重视。

9 patrolled   

vt.& vi.巡逻，巡查（patrol的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• Troops patrolled the border day and night. 军队日夜在边境地区巡逻。
• Soldiers patrolled the castle ramparts. 士兵们在城堡城墙上巡逻。 来自《简明英汉词典》