Want to know more about the dangers of swimming in a lake? Then you've come to the right place. Is the swimming season coming up again? Then there's nothing more fun and beautiful than hanging out and swimming in cool lakes in hot temperatures.
But unfortunately, behind all the joy and beauty of standing water, there are also countless dangers that can even be fatal. Since at least 299 people drowned in Germany in 2021 according to the DLRG₁, it is all the more important to be aware of the risks in and around water.
With this article, I would therefore like to raise your awareness of the greatest sources of danger at bathing lakes. You will now find out what you need to look out for and which risks are unfortunately ignored or completely underestimated by many people. Let's go!
You can find a brief overview here in advance:
- Not informed about the water body
- Steeply sloping banks
- Overestimating your 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 bathing lakes. Thank you very much!
1. not informed about the water body
Unknown waters are particularly dangerous! Realize that every lake is different - and that there are also differences between city, mountain and quarry ponds or ponds. Find out about the lake in question on the internet or locally and look out for signs.
If possible, also go only at easily accessible and supervised bathing areas into the water. Fatal swimming accidents only occur there in the rarest of cases. If you have any doubts about a body of water, just sit down on the shore and enjoy the water. Time in the fresh air, instead of going swimming there.
Tip: Speaking of bodies of water. Did you know that you Do not feed ducks should? You can find out why this makes sense in the linked article.
2. steeply sloping banks
As a rule, it is almost impossible to tell exactly where the edge of the drop-off begins, where the shore of a lake suddenly falls away very steeply. This can be a deadly danger, especially for non-swimmers. Last but not least, muddy banks can also slip and you can get stuck in the mud yourself.
So always be aware of where you can no longer stand - and familiarize yourself carefully with the water.
3. overestimation of swimming abilities
Where else are there great dangers lurking in the bathing lake? There is also an incredibly high risk to life and limb if you overestimate your own abilities (or the abilities of your children). Recklessness, overconfidence or general misjudgments are a common cause of death in German waters.
This is the case, for example, if someone wants to swim from one side of the lake to the other, 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 make a mistake.
A potentially life-saving tip: Some lakes are huge and at certain times there is hardly a soul on site to help. What's more, swimming accidents often happen silently. Personally, I now always use such a mobile floating buoyto be safe on the water. It keeps me on the surface in the event of an emergency and doesn't get in the way when swimming in the water.
4. suction force of passing boats
Although there are generally no dangerous currents on larger, stagnant inland waters such as bathing lakes, fast and large boats sometimes travel there. One of the dangers that is often underestimated is the risk of 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 does 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, for example, touching a fish, a long algae or swallowing a mosquito is enough.
However, panic reactions are generally Hundreds of triggers. For example, swimming with your child on your back and unintentionally squeezing your neck.
Regardless of the trigger, it is important to remains as calm as possibleas rowing around wildly usually increases the danger even more. Being aware that such dangerous situations can arise suddenly and unexpectedly can also save lives.
Tip: Not only on the lake, but also in everyday life, you can panic from time to time. How you Treating panic attacks naturally you can now find out 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.
If you suddenly find yourself in colder water as a result of a head dive, a deeper dive or a "butt bomb", you may unknowingly jump directly into a dangerous situation, as the abrupt cooling can lead to cramps, dizziness or even cardiovascular collapse.
Just briefly putting your foot in the water is therefore not very meaningful. Water temperatures also vary 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. Try to avoid such sudden cooling and possible circulatory problems by wetting your body with cool water beforehand and then carefully getting into the water.
7. alcohol and drug use
The consumption of drugs is a particularly frequent cause of personal and behavioral hazards at bathing lakes. Alcohol consumption in particular often leads to Cockiness and overconfidence.
Tests of courage, swimming competitions or diving as deep as possible for example, can become an enormous danger, as misjudgments and uncontrolled behavior increase in step with the blood alcohol level.
8. caught in creepers
Getting caught in a creeper that prevents you from swimming on can also lead to a panic reaction and become a danger in the swimming lake. Of course, there are no aggressive plants that will grab you and pull you down. As a rule, it is really "only" the sudden panic caused by the foot becoming entangled that becomes a danger.
Keep calm at such moments, slowly strip away the strands of plants and try to free yourself from the threatening situation by swimming vigorously (using only your arms).
9. pollutant inputs
Also Waste, 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 risk and, for example, trigger an (allergic) reaction that could be life-threatening. A lot of subjunctive, of course. But pollutants in the water should not be underestimated either.
10. physical problems
We have already talked about rapid temperature changes. In principle, they can put anyone at risk. However, they are particularly dangerous for (older) people with pre-existing conditions, such as Cardiovascular complaints.
If muscles become hypothermic, unexpected cramps can quickly occur, which could maneuver you into a life-threatening situation. Anyone who swims for a long time and exerts themselves also risks sudden onset of cramps and dangerous situations.
Try again in such moments Keep calm and get to the shore. If you are still some distance away, lie on your back and stretch the corresponding muscle until the cramp subsides.
Know and avoid dangers in the bathing lake!
You will probably and hopefully never encounter most of the risks and dangers mentioned in your life. Also because you are prepared and know them. You now know that you should be less afraid of the inhabitants of a lake than of sudden changes in temperature or your own behavior in stressful situations. Be aware of the dangers - and 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 are the ones who often drown silently, as their glottis contracts and they can no longer scream or call for help. Also be aware that drowning people have difficulty waving. However, you can recognize them, for example, by the fact that their hair hangs in front of their eyes, they gasp for air and tilt their head back.
I very much hope that this article has made you aware of the dangers of swimming in lakes. Be aware of the risks in order to protect yourself and other people.
Stay safe and healthy,
PS: Did you know that you can also take a comparatively safe but extremely relaxing dip in the forest? Under Forest bathing I will now explain what I mean by that.
References:
₁ German Life Saving Association (DLRG): Drowning statistics 2021, available at https://www.dlrg.de/informieren/die-dlrg/presse/statistik-ertrinken. [10.07.2023].
