WHETHER you’re jetting off to the Med, or making a splash at the local lido, the chances are you’ll be heading for water this summer.
Temperatures are set to be scorching here and abroad – the killer Cereberus heatwave is sweeping across southern Europe, set to send temps soaring to 49C.
GettyDon’t let your summer holidays be ruined by getting out of your depth, or in trouble in the water[/caption]
Cooling down is going to be everyone’s top priority, and aside from cool drinks, staying in the shade and covering up with hats and sunglasses, plunging into cold water an offer respite.
But it comes with its own risks.
Every year more than 300 Brits die from accidental drowning, and it may surprise you, but more die inland than at the coast.
It’s a worst case scenario, but it’s important to know that drowning is a possibility, particularly in open water when there are no lifeguards.
The NHS says: “If someone is in difficulty, don’t enter the water unless it’s safe to do so. Don’t put yourself at risk.”
Once someone has been rescued – look for life rings or lifebuoys to throw to someone struggling, and call 999 – “you need to check if they’re breathing.
“Ask someone to call 999 for medical help.
“If they’re not breathing, open the airway and give five initial rescue breaths before starting CPR.”
Visit St John Ambulance for advice on starting CPR at: sja.org.uk.
So when it comes to accessing any kind of water, be it rivers, paddling pools, the ocean or lakes, looking after the safety of yourself and those around you is vital.
GP and founder of wellgoodwellbeing.com, Dr Zoe Watson, says to watch out for these water-related health conditions…
1. SLIPS & TRIPS
“We all remember how slippy pool sides can be from our childhoods and paddling pools can be treacherous too.
“Slips are less common in open water as there tends to be grass, gravel or sand at the water’s edge but paddling pools are made of plastic and pool sides can be slip hazards so if you or the kids are getting in or out of a paddling or swimming pool walk, don’t run and make sure you place feet firmly on the ground beneath you.”
2. COLD WATER SHOCK
“This happens when your body isn’t used to cold water.
“It’s the shock response that causes a sharp intake of breath and gasping.
“As you enter the water your heart rate and blood pressure spike.
“The breathlessness isn’t a problem on dry land but in water you can hyperventilate breathing in water and quickly find yourself in a drowning scenario.
“When you’re entering the water do it in a place that’s shallow where you can put your feet down rather than jumping straight into deep water, this way if you experience cold water shock you can stand up and breath deeply until your breathing gets back under control.”
3. HYPOTHERMIA
“While it’s uncommon in summer months around much of the UK it’s worth remembering water in the far north of Scotland will still be around 10 degrees even in the summer.
“There are five stages of hypothermia but as a general rule of thumb I’d say when you don’t feel cold anymore it’s time to get out.
“Symptoms can include confusion, sleepiness, fumbling hands, both shivering and not shivering and slow reactions.
“If you suspect hypothermia, get out of the water straight away and warm from the core of the body outwards slowly.
“Get a warm drink, get out of wet clothes, put a blanket on.
“Anything past the first two stages of hypothermia can be fatal so seek medial help if you’re unsure.”
4. CRAMPS
“Cramps can occur in cold water as your body hasn’t had time to warm up and muscles contract when they’re cold.
“Cramps aren’t anything sinister on dry land but being incapacitated and in pain in the water can render even the most competent swimmer helpless.
“They’re most common in the legs and feet so it’s worth entering the water slowly and acclimatising before you start to swim to make sure you don’t leave yourself vulnerable.
“Hives or cold water urticaria isn’t very common but it happens when the skin reacts to being exposed to the cold – in this case cold water.
“It’s basically an allergic reaction to the temperature of the water and while it’s not too serious, anti histamines can help.”
5. AFTER DROP
“After drop is what happens post swim – even when you get out of the water, your body continues getting colder for around 20 minutes – this isn’t an issue if you got out feeling fine but if you got out feeling cold and showing slight hypothermic symptoms, they’ll soon get worse thanks to after drop.
“It’s something even experienced swimmers can get and can carry on for as long as 40 minutes.
“The skill to avoiding after drop is to warm up slowly.
“Stand on a towel as you change, put layers on, get a warm drink and sugar can also help increase body temperature slightly so some biscuits might help.”
HOW TO STAY SAFE WHILE SWIMMING
While children should never be left in paddling pools unattended, lifeguards patrol lidos and swimming pools across the country.
But when it comes to open water, not every beach in the UK has lifeguards and inland water isn’t covered by lifeguards at all.
Outdoor swimming coach and open water lifeguard Rowan Clarke has been an outdoor swimming coach for five years and cold water swimmer for eight years.
She’s taken part in two Winter Swimming World Championships in Estonia and Slovenia.
Based in Clevedon, North Somerset, Rowan says UK waters can be enjoyed as long as people are aware and take measures to keep safe: “The key to getting into cold water for the first time is knowing what you’re doing.
“Pick a safe spot where lots of people swim.
“Find out about things like tides, water quality and local laws – there’s loads of info online and on social media.”
Kate Rew is the author of The Outdoor Swimmers’ Handbook.
She says making sure someone is with you can keep you safe in the event of an emergency too: “Experienced swimmers often go alone, but as a newbie you will almost certainly want a friend with you or someone on the shore, and many people prefer having a swim buddy or two to share their experiences with.
“Deep water fear is a common – almost universal – human experience, but it doesn’t come up in the same way when you are swimming with another person.
“If you don’t know anyone who wants to swim, there are wild swim groups all over the country to join, where you both share the experience, and learn all sorts of things – where to swim locally, how to do it safely.”
Visit the Outdoor Swimming Society for tips.
When it comes to recognising safe water, Kate says: “Whether water is safe is generally down to the swimmer, not the water itself, so, the question is, ‘Is that a safe swim for me?’.
“There are plenty of very approachable places to swim around the country – calm seas, river pools, lake beaches.
“There are so many swimmers now that if there’s a good swim near you it’s likely to be popular already and easy to find out about on the grapevine.”
Rowan says social media can be handy for identifying safe and not safe water too: “It can be tricky as it’s not always obvious.
“If you’re swimming somewhere new for the first time, look for local Facebook groups, websites and signs for info.
“Strong currents, tides, underwater objects, bad water quality, algae – these are all things to watch out for.”
WATCH YOUR CHILDREN AT ALL TIMES
Finally, Rowan says when it comes to kids, there’s no better way to spend time as a family: “Kids love swimming.
“Just bear in mind that they get cold more quickly than adults and they may be bad at telling you they’re cold because they’re having so much fun.
“You should keep you children close to you – within arm’s reach – and watch them at all times, always – things can go wrong very quickly.
“Keep in your depth so that you can touch the bottom and support them.
“Swimming with your kids – or just playing around in water – is really fun and bonding for everyone.
“It has loads of benefits for the whole family’s health so long as you do it safely.”
For free downloadable water safety resources, visit rlss.org.uk.