Swimming coach warns: common mistakes in the water that can lead to tragedy

Goda Skirmantė, a swimming coach, is issuing a critical warning about the significant differences between swimming in a pool and in open water, highlighting common errors that can have fatal consequences. She points out that pools offer clear visibility, lane markers for orientation, and comfortable temperatures, unlike open water environments which are subject to wind, waves, rain, and strong sun.

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The most important rule is never to overestimate your abilities. Often, people swim too far and then lack the strength to return. Accidents usually happen in these situations.

Skirmantė emphasizes that in lakes or seas, the bottom is often unseen, and clear landmarks are scarce, making it difficult to maintain a straight course. This can lead swimmers to cover more distance than intended. The colder water temperature, often below 20 degrees Celsius, can induce shock, impair breathing, and trigger panic, especially for those not accustomed to it. "The most important rule is never to overestimate your abilities. Often, people swim too far and then lack the strength to return. Accidents usually happen in these situations," she warns.

When swimming in open water, Skirmantė advises against panicking and encourages swimmers to periodically lift their heads to check direction, though this requires more effort and affects buoyancy. She reiterates fundamental safety rules: never swim alone, always supervise children even if they are proficient swimmers, avoid swimming in unfamiliar areas, and never enter the water when exhausted, overheated, or after consuming alcohol.

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Never swim alone, always supervise children even if they are proficient swimmers, avoid swimming in unfamiliar areas, and never enter the water when exhausted, overheated, or after consuming alcohol.

Skirmantė identifies overestimation of one's abilities as the primary cause of accidents. Even skilled swimmers must exercise caution in open water due to factors like cold temperatures, poor visibility, and disorientation. Alcohol consumption is a major contributing factor, reducing caution, impairing judgment, and slowing reaction times. "Regarding children, one of the biggest mistakes is assuming inflatable devices guarantee safety. Floats, armbands, or mattresses are not safeguards against drowning. They can deflate, capsize, or be carried away by wind and currents," she states.

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Regarding children, one of the biggest mistakes is assuming inflatable devices guarantee safety. Floats, armbands, or mattresses are not safeguards against drowning. They can deflate, capsize, or be carried away by wind and currents.

She concludes by stressing that swimming is a vital life skill. Even basic abilities like relaxing in the water or staying afloat can be life-saving. While early introduction to water is beneficial, learning to swim is a skill that can be acquired at any age. "Drowning often does not happen loudly; it is silent and very fast. Sometimes, just a few seconds are enough," she adds, underscoring the need for constant vigilance.

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Drowning often does not happen loudly; it is silent and very fast. Sometimes, just a few seconds are enough.