The doctor told about the dangers of diving in untested places

Poisonous fish, snakes, crustaceans, and other animals that can bite, burn, or cause allergies can live in freshwater. In addition, silted-up reservoirs can be infected with bacteria and parasites. Alexandra Fileva, an expert doctor at the Hemotest laboratory, told Izvestia on July 18 about why diving in untested places is dangerous.

"Natural reservoirs are not pools with a flat bottom and crystal clear water. Driftwood, submerged trees, metal fragments, sharp rocks and other objects that can seriously injure can be hidden under the surface. Diving carelessly, you risk crashing your head into them, breaking your neck, getting lacerations, or getting tangled and unable to get out. It is almost impossible to see these traps in muddy water," she warned.

In addition, the water surface, which seems serene on the surface, according to Fileva, often harbors powerful currents that are invisible to the eye and can drag deep, carry away far from the shore or press against underwater obstacles. Such currents are especially dangerous in rivers and canals, where their strength can be unpredictable.

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However, the water temperature in untested areas can be deceptively low even in summer. Sudden immersion in cold water causes vasospasm, which can lead to cardiac arrest, seizures, and loss of consciousness. Hypothermia occurs quickly and imperceptibly, depriving a person of strength and reason.

"Muddy water distorts the perception of depth and distance, creating dangerous optical illusions. In this case, a person may mistakenly estimate the depth, dive too deep and face a lack of oxygen, or, conversely, dive into a shallow place and hit the bottom," the doctor said.

Also, in untested places, there are usually no rescuers or other people who could help in case of trouble. If something goes wrong, the person will be left alone with danger. Time lost waiting for help can be fatal.

"In order to minimize the risk to health, you should swim only in specially equipped places where rescuers are on duty and a bottom survey has been conducted. Before diving, you need to carefully study the reservoir, find out its depth and flow characteristics," the doctor concluded.

Doctor Daria Ponomareva warned on June 27 about the dangers of swimming in fresh water. She recommended avoiding ponds with blooming water, large numbers of birds and suspicious water conditions, not swimming after heavy rains and near watering places for livestock.