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Planning to Swim in a Lake? It Could Be Deadly to Dive into

How to know if the lake you are going to swim into is safe? Tips to know if a Lake is safe to swim

By Shivam Published about a year ago 3 min read
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Planning to Swim in a Lake? It Could Be Deadly to Dive into
Photo by Tommaso Fornoni on Unsplash

It is a hot summer day and you can’t tolerate your body sweating down to misery. You wander wall to wall with your hand on your head and mind consumed in the thought of what to do. And then the moment arrives when you stop; reach your backpack; fill it with shorts, goggles, and a towel; and plan to go to the nearest lake for a soothing swim. But, is it a good idea? We understand that seas are still comparatively safer at the beaches; but, what about lakes?

Lakes are calm and composed water bodies that seem inviting enough for anyone to come and dive. But you must know that we are not the only specie on the Earth that knows swimming. The lake could be packed with deadly animals, or its water could be unfit for any life. How to know if a lake is good and fit enough for a sweet summer swim?

Signs that the lake is inhabited by deadly animals

What is more dreadful than finding yourself midwater in a deadly tango with a crocodile? Your legs are in its mouth and your body is in a swirling motion, giving you brutal vertigo and thoughts about your life. The general aphorism is that think of a gun to be always loaded. Don’t assume that it could be empty. When it comes to lakes, always assume that it is loaded with crocodile, snakes, alligators, and other deadly animals. Or no?

Crocodiles do not just go and live in any place. If there are lots of crocodiles in your locality (which you must surely know), then the chances are they could be inhabiting the lake too.

One way to spot this is to look for sliding marks near the lakeside. But for this, you’d have to check a large area. The marks could not be at your side but on the other side. And know that crocs are good swimmers and can hunt you down before you are out.

Furthermore, you can try hearing the hissing sound that they make. This sound could also mean that there are snakes nearby. Here are a few tips:

  • • Look for slide markings on the shore;
  • • Check for any unusual movements in the water;
  • • Listen to the hissing or nasal sounds that they make;
  • • Ask the natives.

Check if the water is fit enough to swim

Apart from the deadly animals, the water could also pose threats to you. For example, there could be an overgrowth of some harmful bacteria in the water. Before you jump, check the water for these things:

  • • Make sure that there is no overgrowth of algae in the water. If you can sense a pungent or odd smell coming from the water, try not to jump. This could make you sick and send you to hospital.
  • • Check for brackishness. Water that is too salty is not a good idea. Check for the salinity level in the lake. The Pacific Ocean (and most oceans) has a salinity of 34 grams per liter. Lake Retba has 400 grams per liter. If you dive in, you hurt your body and your life.
  • • Buy a pH level checker. Look for Shopify alternative free and buy necessary tools like pH indicators, digital water instruments, etc. If you have a lake nearby, these will help you check the health of the water so you could go anytime and swim.
  • • Most deadly lakes with chemicals and heavy metals in them are usually checked and reported by the government authorities. Search the internet and ask the locals if the water is good enough. If your area sees good rainfall, the water must be fresh.

Follow all these things and don’t leave your swim kit behind. If you don’t have one, buy it from websites dealing in clothing, shoes & accessories. A good swimsuit with UV glasses is a must-have to have a fine swimming experience.

Nature
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About the Creator

Shivam

Helping people communicate complex ideas using storytelling

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