“Swimming in Natural Water: Safety Tips to Avoid Health Risks”

Before you go swimming in natural water, there are a few points that you should take into account.

Only swim in official swimming locations

Swimming or jumping into water in unsafe places gets strong not recommended. Think of canals, rivers and canals, but also other places with open water that is not equipped for bathers.

It is even in shipping channels, at bridges, locks and ports forbidden to swim. In these places you can encounter many boats or even large cargo ships and there is often a dangerous current. The ships can’t swerve in front of you at the last minute, and the power of a ship’s undertow can suck you under. In addition, there may be objects in the water that you do not see as a swimmer, with dangerous consequences.

Therefore, always swim on one officially approved bathing water location. Before entering the water, always check whether the spot has been officially designated as a swimming location Zwemwater.nl or via the Zwemwater app. You can also find the most recent here water quality measurements are from the official swimming locations.

Never swim during a thunderstorm

You always have to look out for thunderstorms, so this certainly applies when swimming in natural water. When you swim, your head is often at the highest point on the surface of the water, making you more likely to be struck by lightning. This also applies to a sand surface. So never go swimming during a thunderstorm and leave the beach immediately.

In addition, swimming in natural water entails health risks, so it is wise to remain alert to this. To minimize the risk of contamination or becoming ill from natural water, you can pay attention to a number of things.

Stay away from pathogens

Natural water can contain various pathogens, such as:

• Blue-green algae: these bacteria – in fresh and salt water – cause eye and skin irritation, stomach and intestinal complaints and headaches.
• Swimmer’s itch: after swimming in fresh water your body may suddenly be covered in red, itchy bumps which may indicate swimmer’s itch. These are larvae that penetrate your skin. They die immediately, but you can still feel the itch for up to 12 hours. The more often you suffer from this, the longer the itching will continue.
• Weil’s disease: this disease also applies to fresh water, because rats can live in freshwater that spread this. You can become infected with this through your mucous membranes or small wounds. If you get complaints within 5 to 14 days, such as fever, skin rash, a stiff neck or headache and muscle pain, it is advisable to call the doctor immediately.

After swimming, take a shower with clean tap water

After swimming in natural water, it is important that you rinse well. No matter how clean the water is, always take a shower with clean tap water after swimming. Rinse your skin and hair well and dry well. This reduces the risk of infection.

Even if you have complaints of blue-green algae or swimmer’s itch during or after swimming, it is wise to rinse off in the shower as soon as possible.

Do not swim in lukewarm or stagnant water

Lukewarm or stagnant water can harbor pathogens, especially if rats live in it or if it has dead animals floating in it, such as ducks or fish. So don’t swim in lukewarm or stagnant water and don’t let your dog swim there either. In addition, stay away from floating dead animals.

Do not drink surface water

Surface water is all the water that is in liquid form on the surface of the earth. In other words: all the water that is on the ground. Never drink this water or ingest it, no matter how clean it looks. It can also contain pathogens.

see a doctor

Do you have health problems after swimming in natural water? Then it is advisable to contact your doctor, because there is a good chance that you have contracted an infection.