You want to know more about the dangers in the swimming lake? Then you've come to the right place. The swimming season is upon us again? Then there's nothing more fun and beautiful than hanging out at cool lakes in hot temperatures and swimming in them.
But unfortunately, behind all the joy and beauty of standing waters also hide countless dangers that can even be fatal. Since, according to the DLRG, at least 299 people drowned in Germany in 2021₁, it is all the more important to be aware of the risks in and around water.
With this article, I would like to make you aware of the biggest sources of danger at swimming lakes. You will now learn what you have to watch out for and which risks are unfortunately ignored or totally underestimated by many people. Let's go!
Here you can find a short overview in advance:
- Not informed about the water body
- Steeply sloping banks
- Overestimation of own swimming abilities
- Suction force of passing boats
- Panic moments
- Temperature jumps
- Alcohol and drug use
- Caught in creepers
- Pollutant inputs
- Physical problems
My please: Be sure to share this article with other people to protect them from possible dangers at swimming lakes. Thank you!
1. not informed about the water body
Unknown waters are especially dangerous! Realize that every lake is different - and that there are also differences between urban, mountain and quarry lakes or ponds. Inform yourself on the Internet or on site about the respective lake and pay attention to signs.
If possible also go only at well accessible and supervised bathing places into the water. Fatal swimming accidents occur there only in the rarest of cases. If you have any doubts about a body of water, just sit on the shore and rather enjoy the Time in the fresh air, instead of going swimming there.
Tip: Speaking of bodies of water. Did you know that you can Do not feed ducks should? Read the linked article to find out why it makes sense.
2. steeply sloping banks
As a rule, it is hardly possible to see where exactly the break-off edge begins, where the shore of a lake suddenly drops off quite steeply. Especially for non-swimmers this can become a deadly danger. Last but not least, muddy banks can also slide and you can get stuck in the mud yourself.
So always be aware at what point you can no longer stand - and rather carefully familiarize yourself with the water.
3. overestimation of swimming abilities
Where else are there great dangers lurking in the swimming lake? There is also an incredibly great risk to life and limb if you overestimate your own abilities (or the abilities of your children). Carelessness, overestimation of one's own capabilities, or general misjudgements are a common cause of death in German waters.
This is the case, for example, when someone wants to swim from one side of the lake to the other side, has no more strength after half the distance and chokes on the water.
So realize one thing: a seahorse on your swimsuit is good, but it won't save anyone. Therefore try not to go swimming alone if possibleto always have a helping hand at your side if you misjudge.
A potentially life-saving tip: Some lakes are huge and at certain times there is hardly a soul on site to help. On top of that, swimming accidents often happen silently as well. Personally, I now always use such a mobile floating buoy, to be safe on the road. It keeps me on the surface of the water in case of emergency and absolutely does not interfere with swimming in the water.
4. suction force of passing boats
On larger, stagnant inland waters such as bathing lakes, there is usually no dangerous current - nevertheless, fast and large boats sometimes sail there. Among the often underestimated dangers are the high speeds in the water and the increased swell, as well as the resulting suction force.
Therefore, stay as far away as possible from all watercraft to avoid getting into life-threatening situations. If something like this should happen to you, then try to with targeted swimming strokes to get out of the danger zone with the resulting water rollers.
5. panic moments
As idyllic and tranquil as many a lake may seem, every now and then an unexpected panic situation can arise in which one's Control loses. For many people, touching a fish, a long alga or swallowing a mosquito, for example, is enough for this.
However, for panic reactions there are basically hundreds of triggers. For example, also that you swim with your child on your back and he unintentionally squeezes your neck.
Regardless of the trigger, the important thing is to remains as calm as possibleas rowing around wildly usually increases the danger even more. Also, being aware that such dangerous situations arise suddenly and unexpectedly can save lives.
Tip: Not only on the lake, but also in ordinary everyday life, you can get panicky from time to time. How you How to deal with panic attacks naturally you can find out now in the linked article.
6. temperature jumps
Especially at the beginning of the swimming season, the temperatures in lakes are very different. Colder water layers have a higher density and are therefore below the areas with slightly warmer water temperatures.
Now, if you suddenly find yourself in colder water due to a head dive, a deeper dive, or a "butt bomb," you may unknowingly jump right into a dangerous situation because the abrupt cooling can lead to cramps, dizziness or even cardiovascular collapse.
So just putting your foot in the water for a moment is not all that meaningful. Water temperatures also differ within a body of water and harbor unexpected dangers.
It is exactly the same, when you have been in the sun for a long time and then jump into the cold water from one second to the next. Also try to avoid such a sudden cooling and possible circulatory problems by wetting your body with the cool water in advance and then gently getting into the water.
7. alcohol and drug use
Person- and behavior-related dangerous situations in bathing lakes are particularly frequent due to the consumption of drugs. Especially the consumption of alcohol in a group often leads to Cockiness and overconfidence.
Tests of courage, swimming competitions or diving as deep as possible can become an enormous danger, for example, as misjudgement and uncontrolled behavior increase in step with the blood alcohol level.
8. caught in creepers
Even getting caught in a creeping plant that prevents you from swimming further can lead to a panicked reaction and become a hazard in the swimming lake. There are, of course, no aggressive plants that grab you and pull you down -. As a rule, it is really "only" the sudden panic caused by the tangling of the foot that becomes a danger..
In such moments, keep calm, slowly brush off the plant strands and try to get out of the threatening situation by swimming vigorously (using only your arms).
9. pollutant inputs
Also Garbage, toxic wastewater, manure from fields, as well as blue-green algae, multi-resistant germs, viruses and fecal bacteria. can find their way into bathing lakes, pose a health hazard and, for example, trigger an (allergic) reaction that may become life-threatening. A lot of subjunctive, that's for sure. But pollutant inputs in the water should not be underestimated either.
10. physical problems
We had just talked about rapid temperature changes. In principle, they can endanger anyone. However, they are particularly dangerous for (older) people with pre-existing conditions, such as Cardiovascular complaints.
In addition, when muscles become hypothermic, you can quickly experience often unexpected cramps that could maneuver you into a life-threatening situation. Also, if you swim for long periods of time and exert yourself, you risk sudden onset of cramps and dangerous situations.
Try again in such moments Keep calm and get to the shore. If you are still a little further from it, then get into the supine position and stretch the corresponding muscle until the cramp subsides.
Know and avoid dangers in the bathing lake!
With most of the mentioned risks and dangers, you will probably and hopefully never make acquaintance in your life. Also, because you are prepared and know them. You now know that you don't have to be afraid of the inhabitants of a lake, but rather of sudden temperature changes or your own behavior in stressful situations. Be aware of the dangers - and thus minimize the risks.
"The danger which is least expected soonest comes to us."
Voltaire (more at Security quotes)
One more thing: Also, please never let your children out of your sight at the lake until they are safe swimmers. They, in particular, are the ones who often drown silently because the so-called glottis contracts and they can no longer scream or call for help. You should also be aware that drowning people have difficulty waving. But you can recognize them, for example, by the way their hair hangs in front of their eyes, they gasp for air and tilt their head back.
I sincerely hope that this article has made you aware of the dangers in swimming lakes. Be aware of the risk to protect yourself and other people.
Stay safe and healthy,
PS: Did you know that you can also take a comparatively harmless but extremely relaxing bath in the forest? At Forest bathing I will now explain what I mean by this.
References:
₁ German Lifesaving Society (DLRG): Drowning statistics 2021, available at https://www.dlrg.de/informieren/die-dlrg/presse/statistik-ertrinken. [10.07.2023].
