How to properly handle cramps and jellyfish stings while swimming in the sea

(Baonghean.vn) - When going to the beach, in addition to worrying about jellyfish stings, you also have to pay attention to cramps. Because if you don't know how to handle it in time, it can lead to drowning and death.

When stung by jellyfish

Stings and bites caused by some fish (such as stingrays), jellyfish and other marine animals are very painful and can cause serious complications such as necrotizing dermatitis, hemolysis, muscle and nerve paralysis or heart and respiratory problems. The best way is to follow the following method:

- Quickly wash the wound with seawater to clean out unactivated toxic cells (do not wash with fresh water or hot water because it will cause more damage).

- Remove the body part of the biting object.

Jellyfish sting. Illustration photo.

- Mix a solution of 10 parts water with one part ammonia, vinegar, soda or MSG then apply to the injured area (if these chemicals are not available, you can use lemon to rub on the wound).

- Use a knife or an object with an edge (spoon, ice cream stick, etc.) to scrape the burned area.

- Jellyfish stings are often red, straight or twisted, and cause severe pain. When experiencing this type of injury, limit movement, avoid touching the injured area, and apply cold compresses to the wound for the first hour to reduce pain. After the sting has dried, use local cordicosteroid or antihistamine therapy or apply anesthetic cream every 4 hours for several days.

- Seek medical help if the victim: has an allergic reaction to the sting, is stung in the face or neck, or the condition worsens (e.g., has difficulty breathing).

When having cramps

Even the best swimmers are afraid of cramps. The pain of cramps can reduce your ability to swim or, in more serious cases, can cause drowning.

Illustration photo.

Phenomenon of recognition: Cramps are sudden pain in the calf, abdominal muscles or arms that you cannot bend or stretch normally because of the pain.

Reason:Cramps can be caused by many things, such as exercising too hard without warming up first, causing the muscles to be affected, or it can also be caused by low blood salt levels.

The risks of hypothermia, cold, and hypoglycemia leading to "cramps" often occur to those who stay in the water for a long time, or go into the water at dawn or dusk, or skip meals beforehand.

How to handle:

If this happens while you are in the water, remember, when you are unable to swim to shore, the more you panic and thrash around, the faster you will sink. Therefore, if the waves are not too big, calmly float your body on the water surface and wait for someone to come to rescue you.

When raising your hand for help, you should only raise one hand. Illustration photo.

When raising your hand for help, raise only one hand and use the other hand to beat the water to keep your body afloat. If you have a cramp, do not go back into the water, rest and go swimming the next day.

- If your abdominal muscles cramp (very dangerous), you must calmly relax your whole body with your arms and legs spread out, slowly take a deep breath and use your hands to press the surrounding acupoints, gently rub the cramped area and then ask someone around to help you to shore.

- When you have cramps in other muscle areas, you need to find a way to get to shore or at least try to crawl to shallow water, then yourself or ask friends to help you treat the cramps in the following ways:

+ Calf cramps (most common) try to sit up and straighten your legs, stand on your heels and toes to help stretch your calf muscles. You can ask for help by lying down, keeping your legs as straight as possible and asking someone to push your toes back towards your knees.

+ Thigh cramps, should sit down, help pull the victim's leg straight, at the same time lift the heel up while using the other hand to press the knee down.

- In case of rib muscle cramps, you must take deep breaths to relax the diaphragm and gently massage the muscles around the chest. Drink hot tea, sweetened coffee, oresol, orange juice, lemon juice... After the pain has passed, you can take a hot bath at home to relax the muscles.

Note:

- Muscle cramps due to lack of oxygen can be treated by deep breathing, and muscle relaxation.

- Cramps caused by lack of water and salt can be treated by stretching the muscles, drinking more water and eating more salt.

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