People frequently seek out gorgeous water places across the nation to cool off during heatwaves or other hot weather episodes. It’s critical to recognise the risks associated with swimming in open water and to know how to administer first aid in the event of a drowning.
Even though the majority of swimming pools in open water are safe, 400 individuals lose their lives in British waterways each year on average; men and children are the most common victims. While swimming or canoeing, there’s also a chance of hypothermia and other aquatic hazards.
Here are six things to know about drowning and some excellent advice about staying safe near open water.
Remaining safe when near open water
- Exercise caution
Even for experienced swimmers, cold water and strong currents can be perilous when swimming outdoors. Respect the water at all times, and avoid swimming anywhere there are warning signs. - Extreme cold can be hazardous
The water can be extremely cold even on a warm day because it is far cooler than the air. A person who has left the water is more likely to acquire hypothermia, which is a serious risk. Make sure you completely dry off, and avoid swimming in really cold water. - Remain near the edge
Remain within your comfort zone and avoid taking risks. To ensure your safe return in case of emergency, stick to the shoreline rather than swimming in the centre of the ocean. - Watch over swimmers
Always keep an eye on kids and teenagers when they’re near the water. Swimming and paddling should only be done in areas with lifeguards nearby. Never go swimming in open water alone if you ever do it. Having a companion along is essential in case something goes wrong.
Things to Be Aware of When Drowning
- In this island nation, two out of every three drownings happen inland
Quarries, canals, lakes, and reservoirs are examples of locations without lifeguards or other nearby assistance. If it’s not an approved swimming location, avoid going into the water, even on a hot day when you want to cool off. - Nearly 50% of drowning victims never intended to go into the water.
Many of these individuals were engaged in routine tasks like walking. They might have tried to save someone else who was in need of assistance or fallen into the water. Prior to responding to any emergency, one should carefully assess the risk of entering a body of water. - Younger men are particularly vulnerable to drowning, with men having a four-fold higher risk than women.
Males are twice as likely as females to drown, with the 20–29 age range seeing a noticeable surge in the incidence of male drownings. - A large portion of drownings are caused by alcohol.
Approximately one out of every three drownings involved alcohol. It can lead to risky activity, such as swimming when you don’t realise the danger of the water. It’s crucial to respect water at all times and to avoid swimming after consuming alcohol. - Drowning isn’t as realistic as it seems in movies
That’s not how drowning appears, despite the arms splattering and yelling we’ve grown accustomed to watching on huge screens. Swimming is swift and silent. To recognise the warning indications of someone who is drowning, you must exercise extreme caution.
A drowning victim will periodically go under the water and then surface momentarily. They will be exerting so much effort just to breathe out and then back in.
By understanding how to spot a drowning victim and what to do if we ever have to save one, we can all help avoid drownings. It doesn’t hurt to be ready, even though it might never happen.
First aid guidelines for drowning victims
In the event that someone encounters difficulties swimming in open water, take the following actions:
Step 1: Don’t risk drowning in an attempt to save someone else; instead, stay safe.
Step 2: Make sure the person is breathing once they have been safely removed from the water or liquid.
Head back and check if their chest is moving. Are you able to see, feel, or hear them breathing? They are not breathing if the response is negative.
Step 3: Request that someone dial 999.
Give them rescue breaths and chest compressions for one minute, and then, if you are alone, dial 999.
Step 4: Give five rescue breath
Pinch their nose, tilt their head back, and cover their mouth with your own. Give them five blows into their mouth.
Step 5: Firmly press in the middle of their chest, moving it up and down, for thirty chest compressions.
At a consistent pace of two pushes per second, push the chest firmly and quickly.
Step 6: Stop the compressions and begin treating the patient for hypothermia if the patient begins to exhibit indications of alertness, such as opening their eyes, breathing properly, coughing, or making noise.
Continue breathing and applying chest compressions if the person is not responding.
Step 7: A person who has drowned may have a lot of liquid in their lungs.
It’s crucial to give them rescue breaths in this case so they can get oxygen. In this case, after the liquid is taken out of their lungs, they can become responsive once more.