Four middle-school students in Nanjing tragically drowned on 31 July. Those deaths have joined many others in that which is something of an annual anomaly. Thus, emergency doctors have today released guidelines; best to avoid wild swimming, but if you do, stay safe.
Summer is the season with a high incidence of drowning incidents, and 2023 is no exception. Some are related to the high, seasonal rainfall and associated flooding, but fully 20 percent involve youngsters who have decided to cool off with a spot of wild swimming.
It sounds like fun and can be. But the potential dangers rack up fast. While Nanjing is proud of its many rivers and lakes, there are other spots which attract wild swimmers, such as reservoirs and artificial ponds.
A prime example is Zixia Lake on Purple Mountain, traditionally a heaven for foreigners in Nanjing looking for an adventurous swim in the hotter months. But the Lake has also seen more than its fair share of death.
As this publication has repeatedly reminded, the mountain-fed lake creates cold undercurrents that can cause life-threatening cramps. Go swimming with a friend, or at the very least, take a trailing-flotation device. Don’t be embarrassed; that’s what the pros do.
Shen Pei, a doctor with Nanjing Emergency Centre, spoke today with Nanjing Daily. “Drowning is the reason for the majority of abnormal deaths among primary and middle school students [during the summer holiday]”, said Shen. “On the surface, it looks calm, but in fact there are deadly dangers hidden in those waters.”
Shen was referring to the underwater structures of many reservoirs, rivers and ponds in the wild that are very complicated. Many have therein vertical drop offs, such as those in Huashen Lake.
Wild swimmers are therefore warned that the water depth may change by several metres just less than one metre from shore.
Experts remind that the accumulation of silt and overgrown aquatic plants in reservoirs accentuate the risk of drowning. During the flood season, reservoirs may release large volumes of water, creating a turbulent swimming environment from which many cannot escape.
Among the actions that can be taken to prevent drowning is that known as the knee-tuck method. Hold your knees with both hands and curl your head inward; the body will slowly float to the surface. When you feel your back leave the water, push down and raise your head to breathe.
Experts emphasise that if a calf cramp occurs while wild swimming, grab the toes of the cramped limb with the opposite hand and pull it towards the body with force to relieve the spasm.
If lucky enough that a rescuer comes to your assistance, don’t panic and grab their hands, legs, waist, etc. Follow their instructions and let them take you ashore. Enjoy swimming in Nanjing, but do so with care.
