5 dangers lurking when swimming in the summer

Drowning

Although drowning can happen year-round, it is more common when people flock to swimming pools and beaches.

Alcohol is often a factor in deaths among teens and adults. So for adults: stay safe, and make sure older children know the dangers of drinking alcohol around water.

For young children, home swimming pools should have childproof fencing to prevent drowning accidents, and children should be taught to understand the dangers of unprotected water.

Teaching children to swim requires ensuring they have a float if they are not a good swimmer and keeping a close eye on them at all times. Remember: People are not usually able to come up and scream when they are being pushed out of the water, so vigilance is key.

6 tragic child drowning cases in Nghe An at the beginning of summer

(Baonghean.vn) - In the past month, Nghe An has had 6 tragic drowning incidents in which the victims were children and students. This is a warning for parents to pay attention to their children, especially during the summer vacation at home.

Dry Drowning

Dry drowning has come to the fore recently because it often affects children and happens when people think they are okay, after panicking about a near drowning. It happens when inhaling water causes the vocal cords to swell and close off the airway. And then there is the similar secondary drowning, where water gets into the lungs, causing fluid build-up and possibly pulmonary edema.

Although rare (1 to 2% of drownings), both dry drowning and secondary drowning can be fatal if not detected early.

Signs to look for include: coughing, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and extreme lethargy. If your child exhibits any of these symptoms or seems to “pass out” after an accident, go to the emergency room immediately.

Offshore currents

Live Science describes them as "strong river-like currents" in the ocean that, while they won't push you under, will pull you away from shore. At that point, people often panic and the risk of drowning increases.

So how do you spot and avoid rip currents? Be careful of the calm stretches of water between the violent breaking waves, especially at low tide when the water has receded.

If you do get caught in a rip current, don't swim against it; it's exhausting and pointless. Instead, experts recommend swimming to the side of the current or even just floating until you're out of it.

E. coli on the beach

Everyone knows about E. coli showing up in summer food… but what about beach sand? Researchers at the University of Hawaii say fecal contamination and related bacteria are a real risk even at the most beautiful beaches.

They found that fecal bacteria levels in the sand were 10 to 100 times higher than in the surrounding water. This may be because bacteria break down more slowly in sand than in seawater, so they accumulate in “biofilms” and in areas where the sun can’t reach. To avoid potential infections, make sure to cover any cuts and wash your hands regularly.

Brain-eating amoeba

Think you won’t get eaten because you don’t swim in shark-infested waters? Think again. Do you want to meet Naegleria fowleri, also known as the brain-eating amoeba? It prefers warm freshwater sources, such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. Exposure can be minimized by keeping your head above water while swimming and avoiding disturbing the bottom sediment.