Swimming tips if you find yourself wanting to swim in a river and you've not done it before.
I just read that 9 people of which 7 children died in drowning-related accidents in Great Britain. As someone who has been swiming in rivers (very cold and fast ones) since I was seven years old, I want to give a few tips and I hope this post gets spread on tumblr so more people see it:
1. Never go swimming in a river on the first hot day. Wait at least 5 days. I know, it's annoying if you live in a country where hot days are rare but the temperature of the water is still too cold and has to heat up, Equally if it has rained you have to wait again. If you notice your lips are getting blueish - get out immediately because that is your limit and you are heading towards hypotermia.
2. Do not under any circumstances JUMP into the river, even if its a safe location or a pier if you are only getting into the water.
Your body will get a shock from cold water and you will have serious issues getting out of the water. We called this "to harden/adjust yourself". Walk into the water slowly, wait a few minutes and then take the water and wash yourself with it slowly, then plunge your body (not your head though) into it. Now you have adjusted your body more to the temperature of the water and can swim. Should you feel anything weird like your chest constricting a lot, get out and try again slowly.
3. No swimming between 13:00-15:00 on really hot days. Just because you are in water does not mean you cannot get a heatstroke (you'd have to drink constantly while swimming). Swim early in the morning and early noon and use the 13-15 period to cool off and lounge at the beach (not in direct sunlight, if you swim in rivers there are often willow trees one can put your towel under and relax)
4. No jumping into rapids, I nearly drowned as a child because of this. If you are being dared and are not a good swimmer, don't do it, you will die. If you are confindent of your swimming, dive a few meters ahead of the rapid, break the surface quickly and let the water carry you downstream (this is only for small rapids, do not fuck around with big ones unless you've been doing it all your life)
5. Do not attempt to swim to the other side no matter how small a river if it is the first time swimming there. You need to know how the river goes and if you really want to swim to the other side make a plan. Swim ahead in the quiet part of the river and once you are reaching the faster running middle let the water carry you downstream, gather some energy (you have to know how to float!!!) and then use that energy to get out of the current and to the shore. Rest before attempting to go back.
6. Don't drink and swim, we did this as teens and a we lost classmates due to it. Never swim alone and always keep an eye on your friends.
7. Don't jump into the water in your clothes, dresses or anything that can get heavy fast and drag you under. I learned this the hard way when I didn't take off my towel and had it wrapped around my shoulders and it got so heavy that I nearly went under with it.
8. If someone is drowning - get help, don't try to rescue them yourself and especially not by swimming directly at them, they will be panicking and drag you under and you will both die. If you are drowning, try not to panic, try floating, if people are trying to rescue you directly try floating and allowing them to get you to the shore. The more you panic the worse it will be.
9. Last tip which is a bit specific but if you are trying to dive keep your eyes open underwater and if by any chance you are swimming in rivers with that has caves or tufa structures DO NOT DIVE AROUND THEM or inside. It is not safe, you can drown.
Ok that is all I could remember, stay safe, stay warm and happy swimming.
PS. This is tips specifically for a bit narrower, faster mountain type rivers. If someone has more tips for swimming in wider "slower" rivers that have a muddy bottom, please share with us.
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