Safety
Safety is a paramount concern with swimming in natural settings. These are usually informal (unofficial) swimming places and usually there are no lifeguards. Currents can be swift and, in larger rivers, are often hidden beneath the surface. Being unregulated places, there may be alcohol consumption and rowdiness which lead to careless behavior. Diving in such places is especially dangerous as the depth may be insufficient or there may be hidden rocks below the surface resulting in broken necks or backs and paralysis or death. Broken glass is sometimes present and can cut feet if old sneakers or other footwear is not used.
Read more about this topic: Swimming Hole
Famous quotes containing the word safety:
“There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one’s own safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind.... Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn’t, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn’t have to; but if he didn’t want to he was sane and had to.”
—Joseph Heller (b. 1923)
“For hours, in fall days, I watched the ducks cunningly tack and veer and hold the middle of the pond, far from the sportsman;... but what beside safety they got by sailing in the middle of Walden I do not know, unless they love its water for the same reason that I do.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Man gives every reason for his conduct save one, every excuse for his crimes save one, every plea for his safety save one; and that one is his cowardice.”
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)