Swimming - Safety - Fun! (Part 1)
As summer approaches, the Nautical Club of Corinth presents a series of educational articles on safe swimming in the sea, along the coast, at water parks and even in hotel swimming pools.
These articles aim to introduce anyone interested to the basic rules for taking part in water-based activities safely. This supports the central aim of our academy programmes: to help children become familiar with the water, stay safe and have fun as they take their first steps in swimming!
In our first article, we present some facts highlighting the need for this information, as the figures for accidents at sea in Greece make it clear that swimming and water safety education must become more widespread.
Greece ranks 11th in the world among countries with the longest coastlines (13,676 kilometres).
Every year, 50,000 Europeans are injured while taking part in water sports or boating activities.
In Greece, there are an average of 325 deaths at sea each year.
Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death among children from infancy to the age of 14.
Safety rules for open water (lakes and rivers)
Inland waters include rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs and, generally, places where the water is fresh rather than salty. However, all these places have hidden dangers.
Lake safety rules:
Never let a child approach a lake without an adult. They should always stay together, walk slowly and hold hands.