The indispensable
- Avoid swimming in unsupervised waters, choppy waters (risk of drowning), fresh waters (risk of infection).
- Do NOT touch ANYTHING underwater.
- Respect all safety instructions when scuba diving and recognize warning signs.
- Do not fly within 24 hours of scuba diving.
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Swimming
Regardless of the swimming location, there are risks of drowning and various infectious risks such as gastroenteritis, aquatic or marine dermatitis, otitis externa, conjunctivitis, and respiratory infections. Furthermore, there are risks specific to each swimming situation.
1 – At sea, these risks are of three kinds:
- Drowning due to strong currents (especially in children and the elderly);
- Envenomation through contact with jellyfish, venomous fish (stonefish…) or corals;
- Much more anecdotal are shark attacks, such as those in Reunion Island or New Caledonia.
The situation is worse in some countries, particularly due to the lack of beach supervision and rescue services. It is therefore essential to check local information, strictly adhere to safety guidelines where available, and avoid swimming on deserted beaches.
2 – In swimming pools: in many countries there are no standards concerning swimming pool water and its treatment. Furthermore, there are not always devices to prevent access to unaccompanied children, nor an alarm system in case of a fall into the water.
The use of spas is associated with the risk of transmission of Legionnaires' disease and skin infections. Pseudomonas.
3 – Regarding the “ Fish pedicure "There are significant infectious risks linked to the very nature of the technique, which is based on immersing the body in a bath containing fish.
4 – In freshwater, swimming exposes individuals to skin-borne infections such as leptospirosis, schistosomiasis, or, to a lesser extent, infection with Naegleria fowleri (pathogenic free-living amoebae). Swimmer's itch or cercarial dermatitis can be prevented by a prolonged shower and/or vigorous drying immediately after getting out of the water.
Scuba diving with tanks
The practice of scuba diving with tanks should always be subject to specialist medical advice.
Compliance with regulatory constraints, training of supervisors, verification of equipment (bottles, regulators, diving computers, etc.), access to initial measures in case of problems (oxygen therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy) may vary depending on the country or geographical area.
It is therefore essential to advise travellers to:
- Make sure to research the chosen center thoroughly before diving;
- Limit risk-taking during diving (respecting depths, durations, decompression stops and basic rules);
- Wear gloves and a wetsuit, do not touch anything underwater and do not handle fish and shellfish to limit the risk of marine envenomation and your own impact on the marine environment;
- Know the signs of nitrogen narcosis during deeper diving and those of embolic accident.
To avoid the occurrence of a gas embolism, a 24-hour interval must be observed between scuba diving and air travel.
Source: Guide to Health Recommendations from the High Council for Public Health for Travellers
