In harbours, close to moles, breakwaters or fishermen’s fishing stakes.

In bogs or little lakes, the water is almost always still and it can be

extremely cold beneath the surface. This can result in cramp.

In lakes or rivers with duckweed or aquatic plants.

Anywhere that says ‘Badning forbudt’ (‘bathing prohibited’).

Only get into the water if you feel fresh. Exercise great care if you are tired or out of breath, or if you have had too much to eat or drink. It is important, too, not to get into the water if you are too hot from too much sunbathing. Wait a while and drink lots of fluids.

 

While you’re swimming, you may be unlucky enough to encounter a stinging jellyfish. Like other jellyfish, the stinging jellyfish moves through the water, with or against the current, with a pumping action. If you come up against one, your skin will be left with a terrible burning, stinging sensation. 

What if you run into a stinging jellyfish while you’re swimming?

- The venom is unpleasant, but it is not dangerous.

- Although it hurts, you can still swim calmly away. 

- Avoid wild movements and swim towards the beach.

- Do not press or rub the affected area. 

- Use a knife, ice lolly or sharp stone to prise the jellyfish

  needles out of your skin.

- Apply analgesic cream to the painful area.


 

For healthy people, swimming immediately after eating is no problem.
If you have just eaten a big meal, however, it is a good idea to wait a while, as after a big meal the blood will flow to the organs involved in the digestive process and your tummy might feel a bit uncomfortable. But after a light meal, you will not feel anything. However, bathing and being active on the beach requires a fair bit of energy, so it is in fact

advisable to eat light meals and drink plenty of fluids when you are at the beach. It is particularly important to remember to stay hydrated because the weather will usually be nice and warm when you’re at the beach, so you must drink plenty of fluids.

• www.blueflag.org
• www.badesikkerhed.dk

» Learn to swim and dive properly

» Never bathe alone

» Only bathe where bathing is permitted

» Only wade out waist deep

» Only dive in head-first where you KNOW the water is deep enough

» Swim along the coast 

» Come out when you start to feel cold

 

For further information,

see www.blueflag.org or www.badesikkerhed.dk