A Swim in Troubled Waters

The cardinal rule of taking a shower to cleanse the body before taking a dip in the pool is flouted with impunity. Says Aftab Khan of Vasant Kunj in Delhi, who goes for a dip once in a while: “People simply don’t realise the importance of maintaining pool hygiene. It just takes a minute under the shower, but still, people want to take the plunge straightaway.” Health problems like warts, infection of the external ear canal and diarrhoea can be caused by unclean water. Says Dr Pratik Choubey, a general physician: “One should not swim when suffering from diarrhoea. The accidental emission of faeces may contain cryptosporidium. E Coli and Giardia may also be present in the water, which, if swallowed, can cause dysentery. Other diseases such as Hepati-tis A are also possible.” He also staunchly advocates the compulsory shower.

It takes some time for chlorine to neu-tralise cryptosporidium—it may even take a few days—while it may cause an ill-ness in even an hour’s exposure. Pregnant women, children and people with a com-promised or weak immune system are vulnerable to such illnesses.

Another precautionary measure is to check the Chlorine and pH levels of the water at least twice a day. It’s an absolute must especially in overcrowded pools. While Chlorine level should be around 1- 2 parts per million, the pH level should be between 7.2 and 7.8.

An official in the Capital’s Saket Sports Complex says that their pool is cleaned everyday and its chlorine level checked. It is also essential to have a lifeguard at the pool, he adds.

Dr Choubey insists that like any other form of exercise, one should not be swimming with an empty stomach. But he suggests a few free-hand warm-up exercises to avoid suffering from cramps once one is under water.

Accessories are equally important. Swimming caps and swimming goggles are musts. While the former should have a chin strap to keep it fixed on the head, the size should be big enough to cover the ears. Those with weak eyesight can opt for slightly expensive powered swimming goggles to see better under water. Re-member, wearing contact lenses while swimming is a strict no-no.

So the next time you go for a dip in the pool, be better equipped in terms of both mind and matter.

BAYWATCH BULLETIN

Swimming in rough waters—like seas and rivers—cost many lives across the world. Ignorance and flouting of basic rules lead to around 140,000 cases of death by drowning every year. Here are a few rules to play it safe while riding the waves:

• Learn to swim and only then dare to take the plunge

• Swimming alone is not a good idea

• Being adventurous is fine, but swimming out far into the sea is definitely not on for the amateur. The bright thing to do is to be always within the sight of a lifeguard and swim parallel to the coast

• It is advisable to have good swimwear or a life jacket on you

• Taking your kid along for a day in the sea sounds good but keep an eye

• Beware of the strong currents and under currents in the sea. Do not venture out during high tide

• Don’t mix alcohol and swimming

• While out in rivers or lakes, beware of the slippery banks