Req 17 — Other Injuries & Illnesses
Water emergencies are not limited to drowning. Swimmers and boaters face a range of hazards — from the sun beating down overhead to the cold water below, from invisible jellyfish to the body’s own reaction to overexertion. Understanding these conditions will make you a more complete rescuer and a safer Scout.
Hypothermia
What it is: A dangerously low body temperature (below 95°F / 35°C) caused by prolonged exposure to cold. Water conducts heat away from the body 25 times faster than air, so hypothermia can set in even in water that does not feel particularly cold.
Causes:
- Extended time in cold water (below 70°F)
- Falling into cold water unexpectedly (cold-water immersion)
- Wet clothing combined with wind or cold air
- Exhaustion reducing the body’s ability to generate heat
Signs and symptoms:
- Uncontrollable shivering (early stage)
- Confusion, slurred speech, poor coordination
- Shivering stops (this is a dangerous sign — the body has lost the ability to warm itself)
- Drowsiness, loss of consciousness
Prevention:
- Wear a wetsuit or appropriate insulation in cold water
- Limit time in water below 70°F
- Get out of the water and dry off if you begin shivering
- Keep a dry set of clothes available for after swimming
Treatment:
- Remove the victim from the water immediately
- Remove wet clothing and replace with dry layers or blankets
- Warm the core first — warm drinks (not alcohol), warm compresses on the chest, neck, and groin
- Handle gently — rough movement can trigger a dangerous heart rhythm in severely hypothermic patients
- Call 911 for moderate or severe hypothermia
Dehydration
What it is: A deficit of water in the body. It sounds contradictory — getting dehydrated while surrounded by water — but it happens regularly to swimmers and boaters who forget to drink.
Causes:
- Physical exertion while swimming generates sweat (you just do not feel it in the water)
- Sun exposure increases fluid loss
- Not bringing drinking water on boat trips
- Assuming you are not sweating because you are wet
Signs and symptoms:
- Thirst, dry mouth
- Dark-colored urine
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Headache, fatigue
- Muscle cramps
Prevention and treatment:
- Drink water before, during, and after swimming
- Bring water bottles on all boating trips
- Take regular water breaks during swim practice
Heat-Related Illnesses
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke affect people who are active in hot, sunny conditions — exactly the kind of weather that brings people to the pool or beach.
Heat exhaustion:
- Heavy sweating, cool and clammy skin
- Nausea, dizziness, weakness, headache
- Treatment: Move to shade, cool down with water, drink fluids, rest
Heat stroke (medical emergency):
- Body temperature above 104°F
- Hot, red, dry skin (sweating has stopped)
- Confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness
- Treatment: Call 911 immediately. Cool the person aggressively — ice packs on neck, armpits, and groin. Immerse in cold water if possible.
Muscle Cramps
What they are: Sudden, involuntary contractions of a muscle that cause sharp pain. In the water, a cramp in the calf, foot, or thigh can be frightening and dangerous.
Causes:
- Overexertion or fatigue
- Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
- Cold water
- Swimming with unfamiliar or intense techniques
Prevention:
- Stay hydrated
- Warm up before swimming
- Stretch regularly
- Build swimming endurance gradually
Treatment:
- Float on your back and gently stretch the affected muscle
- For a calf cramp: flex the foot upward (pull toes toward shin)
- For a thigh cramp: straighten the leg and gently pull the ankle
- Move to shallow water or exit the water as soon as possible
Sunburn
What it is: Skin damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. A serious sunburn is painful, blistering, and increases the risk of skin cancer over a lifetime.
Causes:
- Extended sun exposure without protection
- Reflected UV rays off the water surface (intensifies exposure)
- Cloudy days — UV rays penetrate clouds
Prevention:
- Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside
- Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming
- Wear a rash guard or UV-protective shirt while swimming
- Wear a hat and sunglasses when out of the water
- Seek shade during peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Stings
What they are: Painful injuries from jellyfish, sea urchins, stingrays, bees, wasps, or other stinging creatures encountered in or near the water.
Jellyfish stings:
- Rinse with vinegar (for most species) or saltwater — never freshwater, which can trigger more stinging cells
- Remove visible tentacles with tweezers (not bare hands)
- Apply heat (hot water, 110–115°F) for 20 minutes to neutralize the toxin
Stingray stings:
- Immerse the wound in hot water (as hot as tolerable) for 30–90 minutes
- Clean the wound and seek medical attention
Insect stings (bees, wasps):
- Remove the stinger by scraping sideways with a flat edge (credit card)
- Apply cold compress
- Watch for signs of allergic reaction (swelling of face/throat, difficulty breathing) — this is anaphylaxis and requires 911 and an epinephrine auto-injector
Hyperventilation
What it is: Rapid, deep breathing that blows off too much carbon dioxide from the blood. In swimming, this is especially dangerous when done deliberately before an underwater swim.
Why it is dangerous: Some swimmers intentionally hyperventilate before a breath-hold dive, believing it will let them hold their breath longer. It does delay the urge to breathe — but it does NOT increase oxygen levels. Instead, it suppresses the body’s warning signal (the urge to breathe). The swimmer may lose consciousness underwater with no warning. This is called shallow-water blackout and it is frequently fatal.
Prevention:
- Never hyperventilate before an underwater swim
- Never hold your breath for extended periods in the water
- Always swim with a buddy who is watching you
- Lifeguards should be alert for swimmers who are hyperventilating before going under