The same sport can require different athletic with Lifeguard Class efforts based on the environment in which it is practiced If during your holidays you have tried to take a swim in the sea, a real swim, and you are a regular visitor to the pool, you will certainly have grasped the important differences between one workout and the other. The same act, swimming, changes, and not a little, according to the context in which it is done. It is no coincidence that swimming in open water is not always practiced by swimmers in the pool, and vice versa. These are quite different workouts. But what are, specifically, the differences between swimming in the sea, in the lake, or in a pool?
Swim in the sea or in the pool?
Swim with Lifeguard Class in the sea . It is often tiring, and the reasons are many. First of all, the presence of salt in the water, which, while benefiting the buoyancy, increases the resistance . Therefore, the same distance traveled in the sea or in the pool requires different timing and physical commitment. But salt also has another disadvantage: it creates friction with the skin, and makes rubbing (thighs, armpits, edge of the costume) irritating. Not surprisingly, open water athletes sprinkle themselves with Vaseline in critical points. Furthermore, in the sea there are waves and currents , which require the swimmer to alter the classic movements, preventing their regularity and forcing them to adapt to the moment. The temperatureof the water is not stable, and is on average colder than that of the swimming pool: a greater effort is required from the muscles, lungs and heart.
Finally, swimming in the sea without spatial references : you need to orient yourself by appealing to your skills, and calculate distances intuitively. All these elements make swimming in the sea more complicated than swimming in the pool. Or, at least, they imply that in addition to thinking about the athletic gesture, there are a thousand other factors to consider. Encounter with marine animals included.
Swim at the lake
The question of the water temperature in lakes becomes even more challenging. In fact, very often these are rather cold environments. In addition, plants often thrive in lake water that can annoy when swimming. As in the sea, there are no reference points, and the darker color of the seabed makes underwater viewing difficult. Compared to the sea, however, there is no salt, a factor that makes movements more fluid, but at the same time reduces the buoyancy capacity. Waves and currents can be present in this environment.
Swim in the pool
That said, it is clear that training in the pool is easier and more practical (unless you are aiming for a career in open water). The well-marked lanes provide constant reference points, you know the environment perfectly, no unexpected happens, there are no currents, not even in the busiest pool. In addition, the water temperature is monitored, and usually is around 26 °. The tub is the only environment that allows you to focus exclusively on body movements, and it is therefore likely that you will derive the greatest benefits. On the other hand, chlorine and substances deriving from chemical reactions can have contraindications .
General safety tips
Seas, lakes and rivers: each of these places has its dangers. Swimming in open water presents many more problems than those found in a closed and controlled place such as a swimming pool . The temperature of the water “in nature” is lower than that of the artificial environment of the swimming pool and this involves, among other things, a greater expenditure of energy for the body. The risk of overestimating one’s abilities is much higher than you think.
Regarding bathing rules, there is a list of rules drawn up by the Coast Guard to swim safely and protect yourself from risks [1] :
Do not take a bath if you are not in perfect mental and physical condition
Don’t put too much strain on your body, even if you are a good swimmer
After being in the sun for a long time, get into the water gradually
Wait 3 hours after your last meal before taking a bath
Do not enter the water if the red flag is raised
If you can’t swim, stay where the water is shallow
Do not go further than the buoys that delimit the safe area for bathing
If you use mats, life jackets, inflatable dinghies, etc. don’t go too far from the coast
Avoid diving unless you are a skilled diver
Respect the rules laid down by the bathing establishment in which you are
Also, when swimming in open water, you should always pay attention to those who enjoy practicing water sports. To avoid accidents. It is important that you do not hinder each other and that everyone stays in their own area. Usually, in fact, there are special areas where you can practice these sports, far from the bathing area. So pay attention to the signs and avoid pushing yourself into such areas. You can find more information on this topic in our PDF:
Currents – an invisible danger
Regardless of your technical skills. Currents are one of the biggest dangers to face when swimming in the sea or in open water. Especially along the coasts, tides and winds constantly change the direction and strength of the currents. If you find yourself trapped in one of them (usually referred to as a “rip current”), keep calm and swim perpendicular to the coast , thus moving towards a “dry zone”. In general, never try to swim against the current, it would be a useless waste of energy.
Lakes and ponds: the risks of stagnant waters
Lakes and ponds are generally seen as places of fun and recreation, forgetting that they often present serious risks. Here the greatest dangers are represented by particularly steep banks, marshy bottoms and the possible presence of aquatic plants. In lakes obtained from disused quarry sites, for example, there is a danger that the shore will collapse. To avoid accidents, you can start taking precautions by asking locals for information.Stagnant waters are also often full of plants which, from the bottom, touch the surface of the water. If you get caught while swimming, don’t panic. Keep calm and scream until you get the attention of the other bathers. In general, avoid swimming in areas of the lake where there are a large number of plants.
