The Biggest Lake Swimming Dangers

Some of us are inexplicably drawn to water. When we see the ocean, a river, a lake, even a home swimming pool, we start thinking of a reason to get into the water. But everyone should have a healthy respect for water, whether you are an Olympic swimmer or an average joe who loves a dip. Lakes are not as dangerous as the ocean, surely? What are the biggest lake swimming dangers?

Lake swimming can be fraught with danger, and few people do their homework before jumping into an unknown body of water. Lakes can be full of deadly creatures, plants that can trap swimmers, pollution, or toxic algae. Temperatures can be unexpectedly icy, or swimmers may overestimate their abilities.

Chances are that few of us water-babies have considered the dangers lurking beyond the surface of that beautiful lake that’s calling our names. It is never wise to follow that instinct and dive straight into an unknown body of water before knowing exactly what you’re getting into.

The Biggest Lake Swimming Dangers

Drowning is one of the most common causes of accidental death, and 43% of them happen in natural bodies of water. But drownings aren't the only threats to your safety when swimming in lakes, although some of those threats may well end in drowning too.

Icy Temperatures Can Be Dangerous When Swimming In A Lake

The sun may be deceptively warm in the spring, but lakes can still be cold enough to be dangerous to swimmers. Even in summer, the water's surface may be warm but could be icy below. Even competent swimmers can get spasms and struggle to get back to the shore. If the water is exceptionally cold, hypothermia can quickly set in.

Sometimes lakes are spring-fed. And again, the water may be warm on top but freezing below where the spring water flows into the lake. Diving into the icy water could cause the body to go into shock or get muscle cramps.

Encounters With Dangerous Creatures During A Lake Swim

Depending on the area you're in, when you hit the lake for your dip, you may not be alone. Florida lakes probably have many alligators, and southern lakes will be filled with water moccasins, also known as Cottonmouths. These are large semi-aquatic venomous snakes that can bite underwater. In Africa and Australia, crocodiles can be party poopers and deny you access to their lakes.

These aren't creatures you want to rendezvous with during your swim.

_{A common site in Florida lakes; image by sterlinglanier Lanier on Unsplash}

Lakes Can Contain Pollutants And Toxins

Many possible sources of water pollution could be skulking in that still, glassy water. High rainfall can aid the process by taking leaking sewage, chemicals, insecticides, and manure down the banks into the water. The chemicals and heavy metals usually originate from old mining activity and industrial waste. These toxins can be extremely harmful to lake swimmers.

Algae can be a danger when you're swimming in a lake. Wherever water is still, there is a tendency for algae to build up. If you swim during an algae bloom, you could get sick if you accidentally swallow some of the water. Certain types of algae are harmful, such as cyanobacteria.

Cyanobacteria can cause ear, eye, and skin irritation with contact. When people swallow it, it can cause various symptoms such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, fevers, headaches, sore throats, body pains, and even liver and nerve damage.

Other bacteria can also cause problems for the lake swimmer. If you have a deep cut, Aeromonas, an antibiotic-resistant bacterium, can attack the body where it isn't used to fighting off these bacteria. As they multiply, they cut off blood circulation and damages skin, muscle, and fat tissue. Its nickname is "flesh-eating" bacteria.

If that's not bad enough, there is always the minute chance that if you're swimming in a warm lake and stir up the sand when diving or swimming underwater, you could end up with a brain-eating amoeba traveling up your nose to your brain. This leads to primary amoebic meningitis, which is fatal. This is a very rare occurrence, though.

However, the most common sickness from water occurs when the lake is contaminated by fecal matter. If the lake is close to a pasture or farmland, it can contain manure, and contaminants such as E.coli could be present in the water.

Other Lake Swimming Dangers

It’s beginning to seem like it’s safer to stay out of the water because there are so many potential threats to our safety when swimming in a lake. Many accidental deaths or drownings happen because people are not vigilant enough around water.

• Many fun lovers tend to jump or dive off cliffs or rock faces into a lake below to get an adrenaline rush, but sometimes they misjudge the depth of the water or hit their heads on something, which often proves fatal.
• Swimmers sometimes overestimate their swimming capabilities or fitness levels and swim too far out into the lake. When they become tired, they struggle or fail to get back to the shore.
• Lakes can hide logs, branches, or plants under the water that swimmers can get trapped in, which can prove fatal if they can’t get to the surface to breathe.
• Suppose the water isn't clear enough to see the bottom of the lake. In that case, you may not be aware of a drop-off and suddenly go from being able to stand on the bottom to sinking rapidly.
• Boats and waterskiers are also an obvious danger for the lake swimmer. The two activities should not happen in the same water space.

Safety When Swimming In A Lake

Nobody should ever swim alone because a swimming buddy could mean the difference between life and death if something untoward happens. Parents should watch their children or other weak swimmers constantly and have them within arms reach because drowning can occur so quickly and quietly that people may not notice until it’s too late.

Many people think that when people are drowning, they jump around in the water, scream, and wave their arms. However, there are many cases where somebody may be gulping water frantically and not know what to do and then slips unobtrusively under the water.

Conclusion

It seems that finding a safe lake to swim in can be a challenge. There are many dangers skulking in and around lakes, but if we look for the warning signs and make wise decisions to avoid these areas and situations, perhaps these dangers would not be a factor when we find a great lake to dip in.