HOME HEALTH GLIDE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 January 1943, Page 5

HOME HEALTH GLIDE

BATHING DANGERS. SOME PRECAUTIONARY HINTS. (By the Health Department.) Summer has been more like its old self this year, and periods of good bathing weather have helped to make life worthwhile. Let’s hope it keeps up, and also, let’s be sensible about this business of bathing, whether we do it at the beach or in the rivers. The majority of people take common-sense into the water with them when they go, but there are some —mostly among the rising and rather reckless generation—whose enthusiasm often leads them into trouble. Here are a few don’ts that will repay some study. They are very simple precautions really, but they are frequently ignored. Don’t bathe too soon after a mealwait at least two hours; don’t go beyond your depth alone, and even then only when a good swimmer; don’t dive into water of-unknown or uncertain depth; don’t swim out to sea—you can have just as much enjoyment closer in; don’t stay in the water when feeling numb or cold; don’t play or swim near creeks, river mouths, etc.; don’t try to swim across rivers or streams; don’t enter the water when overheated or fatigued; don’t allow children to play with rubber floats and similar appliances—they are dangerous; don’t lose your head if attacked with cramp—turn on your back, keep calm, and try to attract help; don’t bathe in unfrequented places or away from a crowd—there’s safety in numbers; don’t fail to make inquiries first as to tides, currents, etc., when bathing in a less frequented spot; and, finally, don't bathe outside the marked safety areas.