Safety Precautions When Swimming in Summer
Swimming has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially during hot summer months in areas where the weather is relatively hot. Swimming provides a closer connection to water, offering a sense of comfort, and more importantly, it’s a great way to beat the heat. However, due to the many safety accidents associated with swimming, we need to learn some swimming safety precautions.
I. Swimming Safety Points
1. Do not swim when you are overly hungry or overly full. Wait one hour after a meal before entering the water to prevent muscle cramps;
2. Before getting into the water, test the water temperature. If it’s too cold, don’t get in;
3. When swimming in rivers, lakes, or seas, always swim with a companion and never swim alone;
4. Before entering the water, observe the environment of the swimming area. If there are any hazard warnings, do not swim here;
5. Do not swim in canyon areas where the geographical environment is not well-known. These areas have varying water depths, and the water may contain sharp obstacles, which is very unsafe;
6. Before jumping into the water, ensure that the water depth is at least 3 meters and there are no weeds, rocks, or other obstacles underwater. It’s safer to enter the water with your feet first;
7. When swimming in the sea, swim parallel to the coastline. Those with poor swimming skills or insufficient physical strength should not venture too far into the deep water. Make a mark on the shore, and pay attention to whether you are being carried too far away, and adjust your direction in time to ensure safety.
II. Drowning Self-Rescue Strategy in Summer
How to ensure the health and safety of swimming and prevent drowning incidents? Swimming recklessly in unfamiliar waters is extremely dangerous. If you accidentally fall into drowning, experts say that drowning victims should not panic, and should take proactive self-rescue measures:
1For those experiencing hand and foot cramps, if fingers cramp, you can repeatedly grasp your fists and quickly open your hands to eliminate the cramps;
2If small legs or feet cramp, first take a deep breath and float on your back, use the limb that has a cramp to grab the toes of the cramp limb, and use the palm of the same side hand to press on the knee of the cramp limb to straighten the cramping leg;
3If the thigh cramps, you can also use the same method of stretching the cramping muscle to solve it.
III. Drowning First Aid
Drowning is a common accident. After drowning, it can cause asphyxia due to lack of oxygen, and if combined with cardiac arrest, it is called ‘drowning death’. If the heartbeat is not stopped, it is called ‘nearly drowning death’. This classification is based on the condition and prognosis, which is of great importance but the treatment principles are basically the same, so it is collectively called ‘drowning’.
First aid methods
1, After the injured person is taken out of the water, immediately clear the water, mud and dirt from the mouth and nose of the injured person, wrap the injured person’s fingers with gauze (handkerchief), and pull the injured person’s tongue out of the mouth by pulling the fingers out of the mouth, loosen the buttons and collars, to maintain the airway, then pick up the injured person’s waist and abdomen, so that its back is facing up, head down to make it easy to drain water. Or pick up the injured person’s legs, and place the injured person’s abdomen on the shoulder of the rescuer, and quickly run at a speed to drain water. Or the rescuer takes a half-squat position, places the injured person’s abdomen on the rescuer’s leg, so that the head is lowered, and uses the hand to press the back to drain water;
2. If the injured person stops breathing, immediately perform artificial respiration, generally mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is the best. The rescuer is on one side of the injured person, propping up the injured person’s lower jaw, pinching the injured person’s nostrils, and slowly blowing air into the injured person’s mouth, waiting for the chest cavity to rise slightly, and relax the nostrils, and use one hand to press on the chest to assist with exhalation. Repeat regularly (16-20 times per minute) until breathing is restored.
We must pay attention to safety, no matter how good your swimming skills or experience, don’t ignore these safety precautions. Many accidents each year are caused by people who claim to be good at swimming. Accidents often occur because of negligence. Therefore, it is best to be cautious.
