Risk of injury near rivers and streams

In terms of recreational safety, it is also important to take various precautions during activities such as swimming, running, hiking and cycling. Often, streams and rivers are inviting places to cool off. River swimming during the lunch break or after work is also a popular popular sport. However, according to Suva, injuries occur time and again. One-third of all injuries related to flowing water involve the lower legs, ankles, feet, torso, back and buttocks, and about 10 percent often involve the nikes, hands and wrists. It is true that the majority of injuries are superficial in nature. A third of these injuries are abrasions, bruises. 28 percent involve sprains and strains. Broken bones and wounds were each reported in 15 percent of cases. In 50 percent of the cases, the insured slipped. Most of the time, they trip or fall while getting in and out of the water, or accidents occur when insured persons bump into something.

According to Suva, these accidents cost 14 million Swiss francs annually. In any case, swimming in the river is only for advanced swimmers, Suva writes in a statement. Those who swim with a buoy as a buoyancy aid remain visible and in the air, says Samuli Aegerter, Suva's recreational safety expert.

Source: Suva