insideKENT Magazine Issue 100 - August 2020 | Page 76

HEALTH+WELLNESS
SPLISH, SPLASH, SAFETY
FROM SUNBATHING IN THE LOCAL PARK WITH AN ICE-CREAM TO SITTING IN OUR UNDERWEAR
WITH OUR PORTABLE FANS ON FULL POWER, THESE RECENT HEAT WAVES HAVE LEFT US TANNED,
SWEATY AND GASPING FOR A DIP IN THE POOL. BEFORE YOU STRIP OFF AND DRIVE IN HEAD FIRST
THOUGH, ENSURE YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES ARE SAFE THIS SUMMER WITH insideKENT’S
SWIMMING SAFELY DOS AND DO NOTS...
General Safety Tips
You’ve finally made it to the local beach or swimming
pool, and the whole family is getting ready to take
a swim in the cool, blue water. But before you do
so, keep the following in mind:
DO keep children, weak swimmers and fluffy friends
supervised at all times by a capable swimmer; it only
takes a few minutes for fun in the sun to turn into
a tragedy.
DO NOT drink and swim, this can quickly become
a disastrous mistake. Drinking causes senses to dull,
judgment to be impaired, and reaction time to
become sluggish - a recipe for disaster.
Similarly, DO NOT drink and dive. Diving while
not being completely in control can cause a myriad
of injuries, including brain damage, paralysation,
and death.
Home Pool & Hot Tub Safety
Many of us have basically made our pool or hot tub
our second home at this point; the cool, clean water
offering a welcome relief to the sweltering heat
radiating from the sky. Even in the comfort of your
own home though, there are still many aspects of
swimming safety to think about.
DO NOT stand, sit or run over a pool cover. The
danger lies in the event that the plastic rips and a
person, or animal falls through, leaving them trapped
and disoriented underwater.
DO avoid being boiled alive by always keeping hottub
temperatures below 40°C, this happy-medium
of a temperature is hot enough to enjoy, but cold
enough for your organs to cope with!
DO enjoy your hot-tub at 10 minute intervals, the
risk of heat-related illness is very high, so be sure to
take breaks to cool down and re-hydrate.
Sea Safety
When it comes to the sea, it is imperative to stay
alert at all times. This happy place filled with icelollies
and sandcastles is unpredictable.
DO always keep an eye on the tides as the wild
waters can easily drag anyone out to sea. Even the
strongest of swimmers cannot compete with the
power of the ocean.
DO NOT ignore warning signs that have been
placed around the beach, and any safety measures
that have been put in place. They have been put in
place for a reason.
With the above in mind, it is important to understand
that sometimes tragedies are unavoidable. If the
unthinkable does happen, keep calm, call 999, and
follow the instructions of the emergency operator.
DO NOT put yourself in danger.
Now that you are more than prepared, grab the
sunscreen and beach towel, and enjoy the sand, sea,
but NO A&E!
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