Simply being near a blue space (ocean, river, lake) can make you feel more relaxed as the water stimulates your parasympathetic nervous system, helping your body relax and aiding digestion.
This sedative effect slows your heart rate and lowers your blood pressure, Many find joy and comfort In water-related activities.
However, water activities also come with serious risks that cannot be ignored: drowning is the leading cause of death in the UK. Accidental deathThis is higher than house fires and cycling accidents. Around 400 people die accidentally by drowning in UK coastal and inland waters each year.
especially, 40% of these cases People can also be at risk when they had not planned to enter the water, such as being caught by a sudden high tide while walking along the beach or diving in to rescue a dog – a stark reminder that it is not just traditional water users who are at risk.
by British Association for the Prevention of AccidentsMore than 100,000 water rescues occur each year. These rescues are tragic, and survivors (and their families) often suffer from severe injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder.
According to data from incident reports, globally, men 80% higher probability Drowning is more common among middle-aged men and teenage boys than women.
This higher risk is due to men spending more time in the water and engaging in riskier behaviours such as swimming alone, drinking alcohol at night and not wearing a life jacket.
Social pressures and a tendency to underestimate risks – assuming that water looks safe but it isn’t – also contribute to the higher drowning rates among men.
My team of neuroscience and communications researchers Bournemouth University Working with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, they are investigating ways to improve water safety communications using virtual reality simulations that record brain activity while immersed in water.
By using emotion sensors in smart glasses, they are revealing how emotional loads such as fear are experienced during virtual reality scenarios such as a sudden fall into water from a boat or a cliff.
We will demonstrate this technology Exhibition It will take place at Bournemouth University in August 2024 to highlight the risks of being near water and gather more data.
So far, our research has highlighted the challenges and complexities of human emotion in making safer decisions in the water, and the role instinct plays in sex-related decision-making.
Men appear to perceive risk differently and tend to make more impulsive decisions, whereas women tend to be more precautionary and have a stronger inclination towards safety and risk avoidance.
The activity also influences the risk in the water: Activities like paddleboarding and kayaking tend to prepare you with the right equipment and skills, meaning they’re safer than just playing in the water. Inflatable toys such as Lilo These are often used without preparation and can easily be swept away by strong currents.
Unexpected flooding, for example, being caught in a current while underway Walk along the coastTaking a selfie on the edge of a cliff is even more dangerous due to the element of surprise and unpreparedness when you fall into the water.
This lack of preparation greatly increases the risk of drowning, along with the fact that some people who unexpectedly fall into water are usually fully clothed and have a fear of water.
Inland waterways, canals, streams, and lakes are much cooler and seemingly calmer than the ocean. It hides many dangers.
For example, the water may be unexpectedly deep, there may be hidden currents, there may be debris such as broken glass or old bicycles, the water may be polluted and pose a serious threat to your health, or the banks may be steep and slippery making it difficult to escape.
Floating to Live
Instinct plays a big role in how we react to the water. If you’re swimming relaxed, the water conditions can suddenly change and you could get caught in a rip current. Careless.
Although our instinct is to swim against a rip current, the best way to escape a rip current is to swim parallel to shore. If you don’t have experience or knowledge of rip currents, you may not know how to spot them, let alone how to get out of them safely.
When we suddenly enter cold water, our body automatically reacts by increasing our alertness and adrenaline levels due to the cold. Water shockThey hold their breath and try to swim as hard as they can until they are exhausted. That instinct It may save your life.
Whether you’re planning a refreshing dip in the water, a leisurely stroll along the coast, or a jog along the canal, it’s important to know how to stay safe. This knowledge can make the difference between a safe outing and a tragic accident.
Research suggests Following these five simple steps is highly effective, easy to remember and can be done by anyone, regardless of swimming ability or whether they swim in fresh or saltwater.
First, keep your head back with your ears submerged to keep your airway open. Resist the urge to panic, just relax and breathe normally. Gently paddle your hands to help you float. Don’t worry if your feet sink – everyone has different buoyancy levels. Finally, spreading your arms and legs out will help keep you stable in the water.
If you see someone in distress, don’t jump in to try to rescue them – shout “stay afloat and stay alive” and immediately call your local emergency hotline and request assistance from the Coast Guard.
Jill NashSenior Lecturer, Bournemouth University
This article is reprinted from conversation Published under a Creative Commons license. Original Article.
