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Dangers of Swimming

If You Get Into Trouble

• If you get into trouble, there will be no lifeguards to help you...
• The water is often a lot colder than you expect - which can make your body ‘seize up’ and be unable to move. Just because you can swim well in a warm watered pool doesn’t mean you’ll be able to swim well in cold water.
• It can be deep and it’s difficult to estimate how deep it is before you get in.

You may jump in but can you get out? Often people can’t get out of the water due to steep slimy banks or sides.

There is no way of knowing what lies under the surface of the water. There could be shopping trolleys, opened tin cans or broken bottles to mention a few.

If the water is polluted, it could make you seriously ill! For example, Weil’s disease is a form of infection that can be caught through contact with contaminated fresh water.

• There may be hidden currents.
• Never drink alcohol during or just before swimming - or any other water-related activity such as boating and water skiing.