Cold Water Swimming - First Aid
As some of you will know I love jumping into cold water, infact, some would say that I am a cold water bore! I went swimming this morning and it was absolutely glorious. There are so many health benefits associated with cold water and I feel wonderful after a swim. There are however risks to swimming in cold water, particularly if you are not acclimatized. According to the RNLI anything below 15°C is defined as cold water and can seriously affect your breathing and movement, so the risk is significant most of the year.
You may experience shortness of breath, sometimes difficulty in moving normally and usually an increased heart rate. The RNLI have some tips for those who enter the water accidentally in order to minimise the risk:
- Take a minute. The initial effects of cold water pass in less than a minute so don’t try to swim straight away.
- Relax and Float to Live.
- Keep calm then call for help or swim for safety if you’re able.
If you are with someone who suffers from cold shock, there are a few things that you should do once they are safely out of the water:
- Move the person indoors or to a sheltered position if possible
- Remove any wet clothing and wrap them in a blanket or dry towel and if possible, lots of dry warm clothes
- Give them a warm and preferably sugary drink (if they are awake)
- Make sure that you stay with them and monitor their progress just in case they need medical help.
Never use a hot bath or hot water bottle to warm them up. Do not rub them and never give them alcohol to drink.
Seek medical advice if you are in any doubt about their condition. If the condition is severe call 999/112 for help.
If the casualty is unconscious, you need to follow DRABC.
Joanna
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