Unfortunately, summer bathing fun is not always without danger: reports of serious accidents are currently piling up again - the ÖAMTC air rescue helicopters alone have had to fly around 1 missions after drowning emergencies since April 2023, 50.
However, a few simple rules of conduct and precautions can drastically reduce the risk of a swimming accident. If an emergency should occur, reacting quickly and immediately initiating first aid measures are the decisive factors that tip the scales.
Quick help can save lives
"Rapid help in the first few minutes - until the rescue services arrive - is particularly important and can ultimately mean the difference between life and death," explains Markus Amon, head flight rescuer in the Christophorus fleet. "The brain can survive without oxygen for a maximum of three to five minutes, after which permanent damage can no longer be ruled out. Patients who are unconscious are particularly at risk of death. They must therefore be rescued from the water as quickly as possible. However, rescuing an obviously unconscious person from the water requires skill and strength or the deployment of several rescuers," says Amon, and appeals: "While the person is being rescued from the water, professional help should be requested by calling 144." The trained staff at the control centers will then provide support with resuscitation measures over the phone.
Circulatory overload: Despite the great heat, only jump into the water when you are cool
Even in extreme summer temperatures, you should not neglect vital rules when swimming: "The simplest and most important rule is to cool down before swimming," advises flight rescuer Amon. "Even a young, strong circulatory system can be overwhelmed by rapid temperature changes. In the worst case, this strain can cause heart failure." You should be particularly careful after a long sunbath. "If you spend the whole day in the pool or on the beach, it is best to only eat small, low-fat meals and avoid alcohol," says Amon. You should also not go into the water with a full or completely empty stomach.
Hypothermia and cramps can also lead to life-threatening situations. You should never overexert yourself when swimming, because even good athletes can lose strength and stamina, and there is no chance to rest in the middle of a lake. Amon therefore recommends getting out of the water as soon as you get cold. Other vital basic rules are: get out of the water immediately if there are signs of a thunderstorm, and never jump headfirst into unknown waters. "Every year, such 'headshots' lead to serious injuries and end with permanent paralysis for some patients," says the senior ÖAMTC air rescuer.
Private pools, garden ponds and biotopes must be safe for children
Most emergencies do not occur in public baths, but in the immediate vicinity of one's own home. Unfortunately, open water areas in the garden are often underestimated as a potential source of danger. Caution is also required in seemingly harmless, shallow water, because a depth of just a few centimeters can be life-threatening for children.
"Drowning is one of the most common accidental causes of death among children," says Amon. "That's why children should never be left unsupervised or alone near water. Older siblings are also only partially suitable as supervisors." For children who cannot swim or can only swim poorly, water wings or swimming discs are also an indispensable aid. "If you have a pond or pool in your own garden, you should definitely fence off this area," recommends Amon. Swimming pool covers also increase safety.
and 