Divers must reinforce safety practices, says Sabah Dive Squad Club

KOTA KINABALU: Divers must reinforce best practices for safety and environmental reasons, says the Sabah Dive Squad Club.
Club president Sim Fui stated that, given the recent scuba diving fatalities, they have organised a safety awareness talk to reinforce best practices among members.
He emphasised that safety must always be the top priority for divers, and regular reminders, refresher courses, or awareness talks are necessary.
"Every certified diver is taught the correct procedures during training, and the number one rule is always to return safely," he said in a statement on Saturday (June 7).
"Unfortunately, recent incidents show that some divers are disregarding these procedures with fatal consequences," Sim added.
Last week, a 33-year-old Malaysian man from Kuala Lumpur died while diving off Pulau Weh near Sabang in Indonesia, after reportedly panicking in strong undercurrents.
In May, two Chinese nationals also lost their lives in separate scuba diving accidents in Sabah waters.
"One was an unsupervised tourist who drowned while diving off Sipadan in Semporna, and the other, a certified divemaster, drowned after attempting to retrieve a lost camera near Kakaban Island," Sim said.
"These tragic incidents could have been avoided had proper safety guidelines been followed," he added.
The diving safety awareness talk scheduled for July 20 aims to prevent further loss of life and remind members of the importance of adhering to established procedures.
Sim said the club has appointed two experts to lead the session: Lt Col (Dr) Eugene Tan Choon Li as scuba diving medical adviser and First Warrant Officer Almudi Eskal as technical diving adviser.
Dr Eugene is an internal medicine specialist and diving medical officer at the Kota Kinabalu Regional Armed Forces Hospital.
Almudi is the Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Department Chief Supervisor at the Armed Forces Hospital and is also an Army Submarine Escape Instructor.
Both will discuss medical emergencies related to diving and offer guidance on technical skills and safe diving practices, Sim said.
More information about the talk will be shared on the Sabah Dive Squad Club's Facebook page.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The Star

2 hours ago

• The Star

Chinese team's edible fruit coating can more than double shelf life: paper

Chinese scientists have developed an edible, washable protein-based coating that can extend the shelf life of fruit by 2½ times, by reducing moisture loss and microbial growth. The low-cost coating was tested across 17 varieties of whole and cut fruits, including strawberry, tomato, kiwi and mango. It was shown to effectively delay rot by almost a week or more, at a cost of just 9 US cents per kilogram of fruit, according to a paper in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications. The new strategy is as effective as existing preservation methods but reduces carbon dioxide emissions and the potential for toxicity, offering a promising solution to a major factor in global food waste. 'Addressing critical challenges in perishable fruit preservation ... we present an eco-friendly amyloid-like protein coating strategy developed through computer-aided molecular simulation,' the team led by researchers at Shaanxi Normal University said in their paper published on May 31. 'With edible properties, easy washability, and low cost, the coating demonstrates universal applicability for post-harvest and fresh-cut fruits.' Around a third of all food produced globally is wasted, most of it perishable items like fruit and vegetables. While all fruit have a natural protective barrier on their surface, harvesting renders them easily perishable due to dehydration, microbial growth, oxidation and ageing, thus limiting shelf life. Strategies explored to extend the shelf life of fruit include genetic modification, wax coating, cold storage, and using 'harmful' chemical preservatives such as formaldehyde. While the waxing of fruit is widely adopted, there are concerns over the health implications of long-term consumption, due to the potential of wax to restrict oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange, according to the research team. Meanwhile, cold storage may be more biosafe than some of the other methods, but it is expensive and energy-intensive, which adds to global carbon emissions. Functional coating technologies using natural substances are a promising alternative, but developing a combination of materials that can evenly spread and adhere over the water-repellent fruit cuticle poses a challenge. The researchers chose to use a phase-transitioned, amyloid-like protein, a type of material that is used to make underwater adhesives and stain-resistant fabric coatings. Amyloid-like proteins are soluble and can be sprayed onto the surface of fruit. The researchers combined this with molecules of antimicrobial materials to make their coating. 'The superior performance of the amyloid-like protein coating stems from its enhanced spreadability, film formation, adhesion robustness and uniformity on fruit surfaces, which result in improved coating stability and prolonged preservation,' the team said in the paper. 'Our coating reduces carbon emissions by 90 per cent compared to standard refrigeration practices while extending shelf life by 2.5 times.' The coating can delay fruit rot while achieving 60 to 98 per cent nutrient retention, which is more efficient than chemical preservation without the risk of toxicity, according to the paper. While bare strawberries showed noticeable signs of decay after four days and severe fungal growth by day 10, the coated strawberries showed no apparent decay over this period. The coating was able to extend the shelf life of cherry tomatoes from six to 16 days, kumquats from 15 to 30 days, and from two to eight days for both bananas and mangoes. The material was also able to function under high temperatures, extending the shelf life of strawberries by three days under 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 degrees Fahrenheit). While freshly cut uncoated apples showed bacterial presence on day two, the coated ones did not show such signs until day eight, indicating that the coating could delay browning and decay even on cut and peeled fruit. 'These findings underscore the universal fresh-keeping capability of the [coating] for fruit, doubling or even quintupling the typical shelf life of highly perishable fruits,' the team said. Researchers from Tianjin University, Xinjiang Normal University, Changan University and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xian Jiaotong University also took part in the study. The biosafety of the coating was tested by feeding rats with spray-coated rat food. The animals exhibited no 'distinct pathological alterations' and their blood, kidney and liver function tests were normal. 'The biocompatible, edible, and easily washable nature of the [amyloid-like protein] coating provides a practical and safer alternative for food preservation,' the team asserted. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST

Borneo Post

4 hours ago

• Borneo Post

Role of households in dengue prevention

Tan Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the dengue virus (DENV), has remained one of the most pressing public health threats, particularly in tropical urban centers like Kota Kinabalu areas in Sabah. Transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, dengue infections continue to escalate despite years of government-led interventions such as fogging, larviciding, and public health education. While these strategies have played a role in limiting outbreaks, a persistent and frequently overlooked factor continues to undermine control efforts: the household environment. The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) has formulated guidelines on the prevention and control of dengue for households to form a critical frontline in the war against dengue. Understanding and addressing the factors that allow mosquitoes to breed within and around homes is key to breaking the cycle of transmission. The Aedes aegypti mosquito has evolved to thrive in human-made environments. Unlike other species that favor natural wetlands or rural ponds, Ae. aegypti actively seeks out artificial containers with clean, stagnant water for breeding. Commonly found habitats include buckets, roof gutters, potted plants, dish trays, old tires, and even bottle caps. Its breeding and biting behaviors further increase its threat: Ae. aegypti bites during the daytime, especially early mornings and late afternoons, often inside homes or in shaded areas near dwellings. Their eggs can survive without water for months, hatching when water becomes available. The entire mosquito life cycle — from egg to larva to adult — can be completed in seven to 10 days under optimal conditions, making it highly efficient at establishing new colonies rapidly after rain or in homes with poor sanitation. Despite this biological advantage, Aedes mosquitoes are not invincible. The most effective weapon against them is not fogging or chemical treatment, but source reduction — the elimination of breeding grounds. In this context, the household becomes both a risk and a solution. Most mosquito breeding occurs within a 100-meter radius of human activity. Studies conducted in Malaysian cities have shown that more than 50% of breeding sites are located within domestic settings, where household water containers, improperly managed waste, and poor drainage systems create ideal conditions. This reality highlights the critical need for residential-level interventions. The IEM Guidelines recommend that each household adopt a systematic and technical approach to prevent mosquito breeding. One of the most effective and simple measures is the weekly 10-minute inspection. Residents are advised to dedicate ten minutes each week to checking both inside and outside their homes for stagnant water. This includes commonly overlooked spots such as flowerpot trays, bathroom floor traps, kitchen sinks, laundry buckets, pet water dishes, and items left outdoors that may collect rainwater. However, inspections must go beyond simply tipping water out. Ae. aegypti eggs adhere to container walls and remain viable for months. Therefore, all water-holding items should be scrubbed, dried, and, where possible, stored in a dry position or covered to prevent refilling by rain or household use. A crucial but often under-managed aspect of residential design is water storage and rainwater harvesting. Many households, especially in semi-urban or water-insecure areas, rely on large containers to store water for cleaning or garden use. If these containers are left uncovered or only partially sealed, they become perfect breeding grounds. The IEM guidelines advise that all water storage should be fully sealed or covered with mosquito-proof mesh with apertures not exceeding 1.2 mm. Additionally, rainwater harvesting systems should be designed with self-draining features, overflow outlets, and flush systems to prevent water stagnation in gutters, downpipes, and filtration components. Where sealing is not practical, safe biological larvicides such as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) may be applied periodically. Roof gutter systems represent another hidden danger. Improperly installed or poorly maintained gutters trap organic matter such as leaves and silt, leading to blocked drains and water accumulation after rainfall. Slopes that are too shallow or absent of overflow mechanisms exacerbate this issue. According to the IEM, gutters should be cleaned at least monthly, and ideally be fitted with leaf guards, inspection ports, and anti-mosquito mesh over drain outlets. Any system collecting roof water should be designed with adequate fall gradient to ensure efficient flow and prevent pooling. The same attention must be paid to sanitation and household plumbing systems. Bathroom floor traps, unused toilets, and rarely used sinks can become stagnant if the water seal is not regularly replenished. Leaky pipes under kitchen cabinets or external taps can also result in puddles that serve as mosquito nurseries. It is advised that homeowners perform plumbing checks quarterly and fix leaking connections promptly. Floor traps and gully traps not in use should be sealed or treated with cooking oil, which forms a surface layer that suffocates larvae. Another often neglected contributor is poor waste management. Discarded items such as broken toys, cans, unused flowerpots, or even polystyrene containers left in gardens or porches can trap rainwater. In high-rise buildings, recycling materials such as plastic bottles or food containers stored in open-air spaces pose additional risk. The guidelines recommend that recyclables be punctured and dried before storage and always kept under cover. Homes should also undertake regular decluttering, particularly in outdoor areas and balconies. Community recycling centers and municipal contractors should support proper collection and disposal to reduce container waste exposure. While engineering solutions and technical recommendations form the backbone of prevention, behavioral change is what ensures their sustainability. Dengue prevention should become part of the household's weekly routine, alongside tasks such as sweeping or taking out the trash. Children should be taught to report stagnant water or mosquito sightings, while household helpers or tenants must be equally informed. Awareness campaigns rooted in WHO's COMBI (Communication for Behavioural Impact) model stress the importance of not just knowledge but habit formation. Posters, fridge magnets, and weekly SMS alerts have been successfully deployed in various localities to serve as reminders. When a suspected dengue case arises in a household, immediate containment is essential. The infected person should always sleep under a mosquito net, including daytime, to avoid being bitten by Aedes mosquitoes, which could then spread the virus. Simultaneously, the household should undergo a detailed inspection, not only of the patient's room but the entire compound. Neighbors must be alerted, and the local vector control unit — such as the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) should be notified to conduct fogging or larviciding in the vicinity. In this effort, stakeholder collaboration is indispensable. Homeowners, property managers, developers and municipal authorities must work together to address shared spaces and structural risks. Developers have a responsibility to incorporate mosquito-resistant design in new housing schemes. This includes proper landscaping to avoid water retention, the use of permeable pavements, well-graded drainage systems, and the installation of sealed water tanks and inspection-accessible gutters. For high-rise or gated communities, property managers must schedule quarterly inspections of rooftop water tanks, basements and sump pits. Maintenance logs should be maintained and subject to health inspections. Local authorities play a crucial role in enforcement and education. DBKK (Kota Kinabalu City Hall) and related councils must uphold existing health by-laws that prohibit the harboring of mosquito breeding sites. This can include issuing compound fines or warnings to households found in violation during routine checks. Equally important is the provision of public education materials in multiple languages to reach all segments of the population, including migrant workers and the elderly. Sabah's unique climatic and demographic conditions further intensify the need for household-level dengue resilience. The state's equatorial rainfall patterns and hot temperatures create year-round breeding conditions, while many residents live in low-density housing with access to outdoor space — increasing exposure to container habitats. During the monsoon season, when rain is frequent and intense, mosquito populations can surge rapidly, outpacing fogging efforts. Therefore, household preparation and maintenance must be intensified before, during, and after seasonal peaks. Historical data from Kota Kinabalu district show that dengue outbreaks have occurred in predictable cycles, often corresponding to periods of sustained rainfall and stagnation of preventive efforts. The National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) has noted that case clusters frequently originate from residential areas where multiple breeding sites are found within proximity. In one notable case in Kota Kinabalu district in 2022, over 60% of the breeding sites were traced to household premises, despite weekly fogging efforts in public spaces. This highlights the irreplaceable role of domestic source control. In conclusion, household-level dengue control is not merely an auxiliary component of vector management — it is the foundation upon which all other strategies rest. Engineering controls, environmental design, behavioral adaptation and policy enforcement must converge at the household level to sustainably reduce dengue transmission. The IEM Guidelines offer a scientifically grounded and practically implementable framework for empowering households to play a leading role in mosquito control. In a rapidly urbanizing city like Kota Kinabalu where human activity constantly reshapes the environment, household vigilance, maintenance discipline, and structural design must evolve in parallel. A mosquito-free home is not just a private benefit — it is public responsibility and a civic duty. As dengue continues to pose a threat to public health, the pathway to control lies not in complex technology, but in consistent, collective household action — one container, one drain, and one home at a time.

The Star

11 hours ago

• The Star

Three Malaysian haj pilgrims die from heart attacks in Saudi

PETALING JAYA: There have been two more deaths of Malaysian haj pilgrims in the holy land, says Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar. The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) wrote in a Facebook post on Friday (June 20) that Tabung Haji has managed all the needs of the deceased in accordance with Islamic law, including the management of the burial in the Holy Land. 'On behalf of the Malaysian Government and all members of the haj agency, I express my condolences to the family members of the deceased. May their souls be granted forgiveness, mercy and placed among the righteous,' wrote Mohd Na'im The first pilgrim, Abd Wahab Yahaya, aged 63, from Telok Panglima Garang, Selangor, died on 19 June at 4.50pm (Saudi time) due to a heart attack at Hotel Al-Mubarak, Shisha. The second pilgrim, Mohamed Jafri Yahya, aged 60, from Tanah Rata, Pahang, died on 19 June at 7.39pm (Saudi time) due to a heart attack at Hospital Jiwar, Makkah. The third pilgrim, Norizan Tarsi, aged 59, from Butterworth, Penang, died on 20 June at 6.45am (Saudi time) due to a heart attack at Abraj Al-Tayseer. More than 31,600 Malaysians performed the haj pilgrimage this year, which concluded on June 9. Malaysian pilgrims had begun returning home from June 14 onwards.