Jeju Fire Department Issues 'Safety Alert for Haenyeo During Fishing Operations'

[Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Jeongpil] The Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters (Chief Park Geun-oh) has issued a safety accident warning for haenyeo (female divers) during their work, urging special caution as accidents related to haenyeo, including cardiac arrest, have been steadily occurring recently.

Diver Safety Alert Poster During Haenyeo Operations
[Photo by Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters]

According to the Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters on the 8th, there have been a total of 46 safety accidents involving Jeju haenyeo over the past three years. Cardiac arrest incidents accounted for the highest number with 21 cases (45.7%), followed by dizziness and vertigo with 6 cases (13%), and breathing difficulties with 5 cases (10.9%).

By age group, 27 cases (58.7%) involved those in their 70s, 13 cases (28.3%) in their 80s, and 3 cases (6.5%) in their 60s, showing a high accident rate of 87% among those aged 70 and above.

On the 11th of last month, a haenyeo in her 70s working in the waters off Sinchang-ri, Hangyeong-myeon, died of cardiac arrest, highlighting the need for increased safety precautions as the majority of haenyeo are aged 70 or older.

The Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters plans to issue an early safety accident warning during the first half of the year, when the work periods for conch and the harvesting period for Eucheuma (cheoncho) from April to June overlap, as accidents tend to concentrate during this time. They also intend to strengthen cooperation with related organizations and enhance response readiness, including dispatch preparedness.

They will promote the importance of initial emergency treatment before the arrival of the 119 ambulance team and plan to conduct on-site emergency treatment training to improve fishermen’s CPR skills in collaboration with volunteer fire brigade professional instructors.

A representative from the Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters said, “Diving operations must always be done with a partner to ensure each other’s safety,” and urged, “Please follow safety rules during diving operations, such as wearing safety gear and doing warm-up exercises.”

Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Jeongpil baekok@asiae.co.kr