

2. Avoid swimming too far from shore.


3. Limit beach visits during pandemics
Especially with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, it's crucial to be well-prepared for travel during the coronavirus season. Don't forget to bring essential items to protect yourself from these particularly dangerous viruses, such as face masks, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol for hand disinfection, personal hygiene products, and a separate blanket for use when traveling on public transportation like airplanes, taxis, buses, etc. If possible, wear nylon gloves to minimize direct contact with surfaces such as hallways, door handles, and elevator buttons during transit. This will significantly reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission.


4. Attention to children
When going for a swim, ensure thorough protection, wear a brimmed hat to safeguard your child's health, especially for children aged 6 months and older with good immunity, parents can expose them to water more, send them for swimming lessons to familiarize them with the aquatic environment, making beach outings more enjoyable and comfortable. Research beach destinations carefully, choose safe, clean areas with good visibility when taking children for a swim; this helps provide a secure, clean environment for children to play in, making it easier for parents to keep an eye on them and avoid dangerous situations such as children getting lost, abducted, or drowning. For added safety, you can attach a name tag with parents' names and phone numbers around your child's neck for easy contact if they get lost. Parents should never let their child swim alone or swim out alone without supervision, always keep an eye on and stay close to the child. It's best to have the child swim near the shore, use a life jacket or flotation device.


5. Sunscreen products
Vietnam's climate is very hot, directly influenced by the sun, so ultraviolet rays from sunlight are very harmful, along with the corrosion of sea salt, which can be damaging to the skin. Therefore, dermatologists always recommend bringing sunscreen products when going to the beach, such as sunscreen lotion, cover-ups, sunglasses, not only for beauty care but also to prevent skin diseases: Sunburn, redness, allergies, darkening, and pigmentation. Pay attention to the ingredients of sunscreen lotion to ensure compatibility and avoid skin irritation.
This is an essential item when traveling, especially to the beach. So, keep sunscreen lotion in an easily accessible location in your luggage so that you can grab it quickly when needed. Sunscreen lotion is indicated by the SPF index. The higher the SPF (Sun Protection Factor), the longer it can protect the skin from sunlight. Sunscreen lotions usually have SPF ratings ranging from 15 to 45, but when going to the beach in summer, you should choose one with SPF from 35 to 45 (normally, you only need to use SPF from 25 to 35). Note that if you are using a chemical sunscreen, apply it 30 minutes before going outside to effectively protect your skin when going to the beach. During this time, let the active ingredients in the lotion penetrate the skin, forming a protective barrier against UV rays.


6. Pre-swim warm-up
The first thing to note when swimming in the summer is to warm up before getting into the water. Warm up your body with full-body exercises, but avoid overexertion to prevent cramps when entering the water. Also, you should gradually enter the water to allow your body time to adjust to the temperature difference between the surface and underwater. Many people often see pre-swim warm-up as a fancy, decorative lesson, but this is actually a crucially important step that helps the body easily adapt when entering the water. Immersing yourself in water creates strong water pressure that can cause difficulty breathing and restrict movement, leading to cramps and respiratory distress. Additionally, warming up also helps uplift your spirits and enhances your mood for swimming.
Just a few simple movements like: Standing up and sitting down a few times, jogging in place for a few minutes, bending your legs a few times. This helps lubricate the joints and promote blood circulation in the muscles. Pre-swim warm-up is especially important for children as their breathing rhythm is usually weaker, making them prone to fainting due to sudden changes in body temperature. However, you should also avoid overexertion and gradually enter the water, avoiding diving hastily.


7. Swimming Can Also Cause Gynecological Issues
The intimate area is prone to injury. When immersed in polluted water for a long time, the reproductive organs can be damaged, leading to gynecological and urological diseases. Pathogens in pool water can easily enter the body, causing fungal infections, genital tract inflammation, especially in girls and women. Moreover, if someone in the swimming area is infected, the disease can spread to others nearby. They not only bring discomfort but also adversely affect the reproductive health of swimmers. Therefore, immediately after ending the vacation at the beautiful beach, women who are not careful about hygiene are at risk of gynecological problems.
Girls should avoid swimming during menstruation or for 1 to 3 days after menstruation. It's important to clean the intimate area after swimming, even if you only sit on the sand, you should clean and change underwear after leaving the beach. Bring a robe, towels to lay on before sitting on the beach. Thoroughly clean and keep underwear dry, do not wear wet clothes for more than 2 hours to avoid bacteria and fungal growth.


8. Swimming in Crowded Areas
Even on endless sandy beaches, there might be sand collapses or dangerous rocky areas, so it's advisable to swim in crowded places where assistance is readily available in case of emergencies. Before entering the water, ask locals about safe bathing areas to avoid risks such as sand collapses, jellyfish, sharp rocks... Avoid swimming too far from the shore or into excessively deep areas. The easiest way is to pay attention to swimming limit flags, which are present in most beach areas, or to observe the people around you.
Many young people often seek deserted beaches for cleanliness. However, there are usually numerous dangers at secluded beaches. Swimming in crowded areas ensures prompt assistance in emergencies such as drowning, cramps, respiratory distress from nearby swimmers or rescue teams. Photography enthusiasts should also be cautious not to venture too far from the crowd, avoiding unexplored, deserted areas to prevent incidents like robbery or threats from unknown individuals. For those who cannot swim or are exhausted, lacking the strength to escape strong currents, try to swim parallel to the shore, or signal for help from nearby rescue teams or locals.


9. Limit Jewelry While at the Beach
Before getting into the water, ensure you have left all jewelry in your luggage. The best advice is to restrict wearing jewelry when going to the beach, as guesthouses or luggage storage areas may not be secure against professional thieves. When in the water, the body contracts due to cold, making accessories like bracelets, rings prone to slipping off. Neglecting luggage surveillance can easily result in lost jewelry or valuable items.
While at the beach, avoid wearing excessive jewelry or branded items, as showing off may attract the attention of thieves. Wearing minimal jewelry, dressing modestly, and avoiding revealing cash or phones can deter thieves. It's also a way to keep your money safe while traveling, safeguarding against those around you.


10. Stay Hydrated
Water plays a crucial role in maintaining good health for humans. It helps regulate body temperature, eliminate waste products from metabolism, improve digestion, reduce oxidation processes, keep the body hydrated, and provide freshness and vitality every day. Especially when swimming at the beach. Before heading to the beach, ensure you have enough clean water to drink if you don't fully trust the water sold along the coast. When swimming, the saltwater combined with prolonged sun exposure can cause dry skin and fatigue.
The best advice for you is to swim back to shore every 20 minutes to drink filtered water, relieving the body from the pressure of seawater while replenishing minerals, avoiding unwanted incidents like cramps or exhaustion. Besides, swimming in the sea requires more energy due to the larger waves than in ponds or lakes. Therefore, have a light drink of sugar water or a little milk, about 100-200ml. This will help us avoid the risk of exhaustion.

