How do you swim as not to down? Lifesaver prompts

Annually, as many as 360 people die under water. Drowning is still one of the ten leading causes of death, warns the World Health Organization. In June and July alone, 63 people drowned in Poland. We are happy to swim not only in pools, but also in rivers, seas and lakes Let's take care of our safety and that of our children. How can I minimize the risk of drowning? Lifeguard class near me, head of the rescue service in the water park.

Swim in marked and guarded areas

The basic rule is to choose the right bathing area. Ideally, it should be a place we know well, marked and supervised by lifeguards. The ideal choice is a swimming pool or a pool with properly marked zones for people of different swimming abilities. If we bathe by the sea or a lake, we should also do so in a designated place and under the supervision of a lifeguard class near me. It is unacceptable to swim when we see a clear ban on bathing. Avoid dams with a wide arch, heavily overgrown and swampy reservoirs, busy waterways, waterfalls and dams, fast mountain streams, etc.

Pay attention to the signs

At the bathing areas, the possibility of bathing is marked with a flag. White means it's safe to swim, red means you can't get in the water. The red flag is displayed when there is pollution of the reservoir and in adverse weather conditions: in case of cold water (below 14 degrees Celsius), gusts of wind, limited visibility, large waves or unusually strong currents. In addition, detailed information about the weather conditions can be found on the boards that are usually located at the entrance to the bathing beach.

Do not jump into the water in places you do not know

A jump on the head or legs is one of the most common causes of injury. - Virtually the only place where you can jump safely with a permit and under the supervision of a lifeguard class near me is the swimming pool, because the bottom is fixed there - says  water rescue instructor, lifeguard coordinator at Water Park. - In other places, we have a small opportunity to find out what is under the water. And there may be faults, protruding limbs, sharp stones, loamy soil and other conditions that can endanger our health and life.

Do not drink alcohol, do not take psychotropic drugs

Police statistics warn: 70 percent of drownings are caused by intoxication. Young people and men with primary or vocational education, over 50, most often drown after alcohol. Even a small dose of alcohol, especially in the heat, disrupts orientation in time and space and the ability to assess one's own skills. Alcohol lowers body temperature, causes breathing difficulties and increases the risk of muscle spasms. In a crisis situation, the risk of drowning is greater because a drunk person has a problem with coordination of movements, it is also more difficult to revive him. Similar effects can be caused by taking psychotropic drugs.

Take a good assessment of your abilities

Almost every third Pole cannot swim. Most of those who are quite good in the water learned to swim from family and friends, not from professional courses. Their skills are often limited to one style, which is not always executed correctly (eg a frog with its head held on the surface, or a crawl with splashing waves). They allow you to play in the water, but not to swim hundreds of meters in sports without getting out of breath. 

Look after the children

Until they are eight years old or older, children should bathe with their parents. Stay under their constant supervision until three o'clock (eg seen from the shore). Children have more delicate organisms, so be careful not to enter the water after intense sunbathing and exercise (this can result in thermal shock and problems with the vascular system), or a heavy meal, which can end in vomiting and suffocation. Always wear a life jacket when doing water sports. Inflatable sleeves or a wheel will not be able to keep it afloat.

Stay calm

When we feel like we're losing strength while swimming, the worst thing we can do is panic. If we can, turn on our backs, push our hips up and let the wave travel. Let's also try to swim to the nearest buoy or lifeline. While in the water, we should always observe what is happening around us. When we see a swimmer making sudden movements, inform the lifeguard class near me immediately. It must be remembered that without the appropriate skills and strength, we may not be able to pull a drowning person alone. In such circumstances it is better to give some help, e.g. a broken tree branch, pull up a rope or throw a rescue crane.