Testing the waters: Tips for ocean swimming safety
当你在开放水域游泳时,遵循这些海洋安全提示.
在海里游泳和在游泳池里游泳不同:你必须注意水流, waves and other natural dangers.
Ocean swimming basics
首先,在海洋变幻莫测的环境中,强大的游泳技能是必不可少的. Never go into the ocean if you can't swim. Also:
- Know where to swim. 在指定的海域游泳,并有救生员监督. 待在靠近海岸的地方,这样你就能被看到,并在需要时迅速获救.
- Know when to swim. 白天被认为是在海里游泳最安全的时间. 清晨及黄昏能见度较低, 而水中的掠食性动物往往会在夜间靠近海岸.
- Wear sunblock. Sunscreen is important 适合任何户外活动,但在游泳时尤其重要,因为反射水会增加晒伤的风险.
- Don’t swim alone. Even if you are an experienced swimmer, 有一个能在需要时发出求救信号的游泳伙伴是很重要的.
- Swim sober. When navigating unpredictable ocean waters, 避免使用酒精或药物(娱乐性和/或某些处方). 这些会损害你的判断力、平衡性、协调性和身体的保暖能力.
Ocean swimming risks
浩瀚的海洋是一个复杂的水体,如果你不小心接近它,它就会变得无情. 在游离海岸之前,请先了解以下危害:
- Severe weather can be life-threatening when you’re in the ocean. 如果暴风雨即将来临,离开水面,直到风暴消退. Get out immediately if you see lightning.
- Large waves are more powerful than you might think. Dive under one before it breaks. 记住:当你在水里的时候,永远不要背对着大海. 巨浪或暗流随时可能发生.
- Shore breaks 发生在海浪冲击陆地时,会把游泳者击倒. To help avoid serious injury, 远离有岩石突出的海滩或陡峭的斜坡.
- Inshore holes are long trenches that run parallel to the beach. 它们能让期待浅水的涉水者大吃一惊. 确保你的孩子能游泳,并在任何水域和他们呆在一起.
- Cold water temperatures can shock your body, 提高你的心率和血压,可以减缓你的肌肉, making it difficult to swim. Remember to test the water before entering.
- Underwater hazards 像岩石一样,碎片和植被可能会割伤或阻碍你的脚和腿. Keep a watchful eye while you wade.
- Aquatic life 比如鲨鱼或水母偶尔会被退潮困住, and prove a threat to swimmers. In addition to keeping an eye out for yourself, 听取救生员的指导,因为他们通常会先发现他们.
Rip currents
离岸流是一种狭窄的快速流动的水流通道,它可以把你拉进深而危险的水域. 它们是海水事故最常见的来源,占 超过80%的救援是由冲浪海滩救生员完成的. Here are a few tips from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for when you find yourself caught by one:
- Stay calm and don’t fight the current.
- Swim parallel to the shore until you are free from the current, 然后慢慢转向以一定角度游回岸边.
- Don’t overexert your muscles when you start to fatigue, 你可以通过仰面漂浮和用腿划水来节省一些能量.
- Call for help if you feel unable to get free. 不要犹豫,因为情况可能会恶化,你可能很快就会发现自己离得太远,别人听不到你说话.
记住:阳光明媚的天气并不一定意味着很好的海洋游泳条件. 在前往海滩之前,查看当地的冲浪预报,了解会发生什么.