Bathing fun: where are dangers lurking?

Florian Tiefenböck studied human medicine at the LMU Munich. In March 2014, he joined as a student and has supported the editorial team with medical articles ever since. After receiving his medical license and practical work in internal medicine at the University Hospital Augsburg, he has been a permanent member of the team since December 2019 and, among other things, ensures the medical quality of the tools.

More posts by Florian Tiefenböck All content is checked by medical journalists.

When it's hot, the country's lakes and beaches get crowded. At the moment, questions about distance and hygiene dominate in order to protect yourself from a Sars-CoV-2 infection. But some bathing spots should only be enjoyed with caution for other reasons. And bathing rules are better heeded.

Bathing places and their pitfalls

Any cooling off is welcome in the summer heat. But some bathing areas harbor considerable dangers, warns the German Life Saving Society (DLRG). An overview:

Quarry ponds

"At first they are very shallow and suddenly go down very steeply," says DLRG spokesman Achim Wiese. "So you walk in there and suddenly find yourself under water." This can endanger inexperienced and poor swimmers. The water temperatures in a quarry pond can also be extremely different. “Up through the sun 28 to 30 degrees and already 80 centimeters below it is sometimes 10 to 12 degrees less. That can lead to cramps. "

Rivers

Their danger lies in the speed of the water and the shipping. “Anyone who goes swimming in the Rhine or other federal waterways, for example, is like going to play with the children on the autobahn,” says the expert.

sea

Here the expert observes again and again that people swim too far away from the shore and then find it difficult to get back to the beach. His advice: "On the coast it is better to swim parallel to the shore and not just straight out."

Better not to bathe all by yourself

In general, you should bathe in places where there is a lifeguard. And if no one is there and you are traveling alone, you prefer to look for a place where other people are also - this is how someone notices when you get into trouble.

The DLRG spokesman also sees again and again that simple and actually well-known bathing rules are not followed - with sometimes dire consequences.

Get used to cold water slowly

Running into the cold water heated up, for example, is not a good idea. "The body warms up when sunbathing, the veins stretch - and then suddenly contract when you jump into the water," explains Wiese. “It can lead to unconsciousness or a heart attack, which can lead to drowning. Seniors in particular should get used to the water slowly. ”You can do this by carefully holding your feet or arms in the cool water.

Even on an empty stomach, it is better not to go swimming - this is especially true for people with diabetes. That could lead to hypoglycaemia, said Wiese, "and that is then life-threatening."

More tips for a safe day at the pool

An empty stomach is more dangerous, but you shouldn't go swimming even if your stomach is too full: the body needs the energy to digest. With its bathing rules, the DLRG offers some other useful tips that ensure more safety when bathing:

Just as important as you go in is to get used to the water temperature: leave the water if you are cold.
Only take a bath when you are healthy. Overexertion can only do more harm to the body. You could also infect other bathers.
Can't swim? Then go into the water with supervision and up to your stomach at most. In addition, aids such as armbands are advisable.
Caution: air mattresses and inflatable rubber animals do not provide reliable security. Especially at sea they can drive you dangerously far out into the open sea if you are not careful.
Only jump into the water if you are used to the water temperature and it is deep enough. Caution: Pointed stone formations can lurk in the depths. Also, watch out for other swimmers, especially divers, who can easily be overlooked.
Places where ships and boats operate are not suitable bathing places.
Don't overestimate your skills. Longer swimming tours are only recommended for experienced and trained people. Otherwise: Pay attention to the shore / beach proximity and visibility.
Don't call for help unless you really are in danger. However, if others are calling for help, don't hesitate.
Do not submerge others, especially not where you cannot stand securely.
Storms can be life-threatening. So if a thunderstorm is approaching, leave the water as quickly as possible. (ft / dpa)