Summer Swimming Safety

Should you really wait an hour to swim after eating? The old advice about swimming after eating has a small grain of truth, especially for the serious swimmer. But for most of us who just splash around or relax on a float, having a full stomach won’t hurt us. Although it is true that digestion diverts large amounts of blood to the stomach, which can theoretically cause cramps during vigorous exertion, swimming at a normal level after a light meal poses no appreciable danger. Instead focus more on the far more likely concerns, such as diving accidents. When jumping into unknown water always jump feet first. While at the beach don’t dive toward the bottom of oncoming waves or with your back to them. Always body surf with your hands ahead of you. While in a swimming pool, test the diving board’s spring before using it. Diving off its side is dangerous, only dive straight ahead and never into an above ground pool or the shallow end. Nine out of ten diving injuries occur in six feet of water or less.