10 questions to the expert about... ...safe swimming

1. In which cases should I not swim?

You should not enter the sea if two and a half to three hours have passed since you ate or if you have consumed alcohol, as well as if you are tired or unwell. A full stomach makes swimming problematic and dangerous, because your heart is forced to work intensively, both to continue digestion and to cope with the rhythm of swimming, and you risk fainting. Something particularly dangerous if it happens at sea, since it equates to a serious possibility of drowning. Of course, it's not good to swim on a completely empty stomach either, because you might get exhausted. So make sure you have eaten something very light before (a piece of toast, a piece of fruit, some chocolate, etc.). Also, drinking alcoholic beverages significantly reduces your reflexes with lifeguard training near me

2. Is swimming prohibited for someone who has a heart or other pathological problem?

No, it is not prohibited. Usually swimming is good for all ailments, but under conditions. If, for example, you suffer from heart disease, you should always swim with friends, consult your doctor and follow his instructions. You prefer to swim in beaches that have a lifeguard, whom it is good to inform about the problem, so that he will pay special attention to you. As a rule, patients with some disease must swim at a depth of no more than one and a half to two meters. Those who take medications that affect blood pressure should be especially careful.

3. Do we enter the water gradually or abruptly?

We avoid running into the frozen sea, after spending a long time in the sun, because the sudden change in temperature tires the heart, strains the body and can cause us discomfort. We must enter the water gradually, with slow movements, in order for the body to adapt to the lower temperature.

4 Is it true that the first bath should last 5 minutes?.

No, it doesn't. Just with the first bath, because the body is not used to either the sun or the sea, it strains. That's why it's good not to swim vigorously, but slowly, so that the bath can last an hour.

5 How long should we sit in the sea?

This is purely a matter of each person's capabilities. Of course, we should not overdo it, because our prolonged stay in the water (more than 3 hours) can cause wetting of the limbs, trembling and bruised lips. If we see any of these, we must get out of the sea immediately. The same should be done with the slightest pain in the chest or head, as well as if we feel dizzy or have a tendency to vomit.

6. If I am out at sea and drink water, get a cramp or a storm breaks out and face big waves, what should I do?

First of all, you should not panic. If you drink a sip of water, you will not get sick, you will just be bothered by the salt, and from the cough that will be caused you may feel the urge to vomit. But because this feeling is more psychological, keep breathing normally and calm down. If you get a cramp, stretch the affected area and move towards the shore. If you can't move, lie on your back with your arms and legs open, and everything will pass. If a storm breaks out, don't panic and don't fight the waves.

You don't swim against the tide, but go with it. Let it go with you without making any drastic movements; just move towards the shore. If anything happens to you in the water that you cannot deal with, call for help.