500 people in Germany drowned – don’t take unnecessary risks when bathing

Sheer delight: fun without taking unnecessary risks

During the summer, the jump provides into the cool water for a dip. But, unfortunately, it is reported in the warm time of the year again about lethal drowning accidents. Many of these accidents could be avoided. Health experts explain how you can enjoy the fun without taking unnecessary risks.

Cooling in the heat

It was in the outdoor pool, at the lake or in the sea: In summer temperatures, it is Better there is hardly anything, as a cool down in the water. So refreshing to have a courageous leap into the cool water is also not advises in the Barmer health insurance Fund, in particular, inexperienced swimmers to jump recklessly into the water. Finally, drowned, according to information from the Deutsche Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft (DLRG) alone in the year 2018, more than 500 people in Germany.

For many people there are in the summer, nothing better than to spend your free time in the pool or at the lake. Experts have some tips to enjoy the fun without the hazards. (Image: volff/fotolia.com)

No unnecessary dangers

Previous studies have shown that especially many of the basic can not swim students. And also some older people can often hold only so to some extent in water.

This can be dangerous. Especially when swimming in unguarded lakes and other bodies of water.

“Who can’t swim properly, without cooling, is jumping into the water or the pitfalls of the body of water does not know, takes unnecessary risks”, explains Klaus Mohlendick, a sports scientist at the Barmer in a message.

But who does not overestimate himself, and too far from the shore remove, for nothing to stand a unadulterated pleasure in the cool Wet usually in the way.

In front of the Swimming to cool down

According to Mohlendick you should go slowly into the water and not just jump. Because otherwise, the blood were vessels and inflated in a short time a lot of blood at once to the heart.

As a result, the right heart will be burdened chamber excessively and might lead to arrhythmias. Furthermore, a Reflex will be triggered when cold water on the face to meet, thereby increasing heart rate and blood dropped pressure rapidly.

Especially seniors should cool off before bathing, rates of professionals.

And: “you should Not drink before Swimming, alcohol, because of the expanded blood vessels. When Plunging into the water, a cold shock is then in the extreme case, possible, even if the water is about 20 degrees warm“, so Mohlendick.

The assumption that after the jump into the cold water, but even a heart threatens a standstill, is not true according to health experts, in healthy people, but.

A decline in swimming ability in Germany

The insurance company also points to additional dangers when swimming, Many swimmers under the flow or sudden appreciated the cold zones. Here, you get tired faster and need a lot of energy.

“It is also for this reason, it makes sense to go with an empty stomach in the water, but to eat some time before,” says Mohlendick.

Just for Beginners and the elderly, in which the power go out quickly, people with heart problems, and inexperienced swimmers to swim in is not free of risks.

Added to this is the decline in the swimming ability in Germany. As a result, around 60 percent of the ten-year-old according to the DLRG no safe swimmers.

“Who can’t swim or not, should be independent from age, never go alone or unattended in the water,” advises the Barmer-expert. (ad)