Protecting Lives: The 'Ocean Debut'—The 'Fun' and 'Fear' Island Children Learn First

Watching the news day after day, I am struck by the high number of water-related accidents.

Usually, it follows a pattern: a float or ball drifts away, a child tries to go get it and drowns, and then a parent tries to go save them and drowns too.

It truly breaks my heart, as some people lose their lives.

Whether it's the ocean or a river, perhaps there is a lack of awareness regarding the 'dangers of nature'.

The aspect of it being a 'fun place' takes precedence, and people likely step into it without knowing the 'fear' that lies beneath.

An island child's ocean debut begins with 'fear'

This is a remote island surrounded on all sides by the sea. When summer comes, it is natural for both children and adults to head to the ocean.

This year, my four-year-old son made his full-fledged ocean debut. Until last year, he would just splash around at the water's edge or ride on a float with his father right by his side. But this year—it was a little different.

An 'ocean debut' on this island isn't just about fun. It
starts with teaching the 'dangers of the sea'.

Daring to flip them over

In a spot where the child can barely touch the bottom—or perhaps can't—I intentionally flip their float over. It is, so to speak, a teaching method of
'intentionally letting them drown'.

Of course, some children might find this traumatic and grow to dislike the ocean. That is why I do it carefully, while watching the child's reaction.

But I want to convey it as early as possible. I want them to
learn with their bodies that 'the ocean is a fun place, but if you make one wrong move, it is a place where you can lose your life.'

The scariest part of the ocean

The ocean isn't just about the height of the waves. The scariest thing is the
'unseen ocean currents'. The moment your feet are swept out from under you, you are carried away in an instant and fall into a panic. That panic is what causes drowning.

However, you start to understand that, too, the more familiar you are with the ocean.

For example, when you touch the seawater, there are places where the water temperature suddenly changes. When you feel, 'It's warm around here, but suddenly it's cold from this point on,' that is where there is a current.

It is proof that the water is circulating.

On this island, children learn these 'signs of the sea' with their own bodies.

Parents have also undergone this 'training'

Of course, it's not just the children.
While adults always accompany them to the sea, those parents are also people who have received this kind of training since they were children.

Since I am part of the group that moved here, I haven't developed that sensitivity.

That's why, when it's just me and my son, my husband (a true islander) keeps telling me repeatedly, 'Don't go beyond this rock.'


Apparently, my son and I are at the same level of 'sea knowledge'.

Safe area does not mean safe

The more the sea is a part of someone's daily life, the more they truly understand its terrors.

Accidents happen even at beaches where swimming areas are clearly marked and there are multiple lifeguards.

After all, you are dealing with nature.
The 'safety boundaries' set by humans can become anything but absolutely safe depending on the weather and the tides.

But that is precisely why, at the very least, playing within the designated area serves as a 'minimum safety measure.'
You must not overconfidently rely on the feeling that 'it looks calm today.'

If a sandal or a beach ball gets swept away outside the area—just let it go.

Is there anything worth risking your life for?

The sea is terrifying. But it is fun.

So it doesn't become a worst-case memory.
So it becomes the best memory.

Let's play with 'safety first.'

If you are going to bring a beach ball that is easily blown away, one from a 100-yen shop is enough.
And I want you to tell them this:

Taking care of your belongings is, of course, important.
But,nothing is more important than life itself.

Risking your life for a 100-yen item—there's nothing more ridiculous than that, right?

I hope that water-related accidents will decrease, even if just a little.

Thank you for reading until the end 😊

If you could 'like' or 'follow' me, it would be a great encouragement.

Self-introduction article👇

My son is growing up healthy on this island👇