Water rescue, whether in distress or rescue, is most afraid of sudden cramps. Muscle cramps often occur in situations such as water cooling, muscle impact, fatigue, and accidental ingestion of medication. The most terrifying thing is the occurrence of choking, and in severe cases, it can lead to the death of a skilled swimmer underwater.
The main areas of cramps are the toes, legs, and abdomen. The methods of rescue also vary, and the usual principle is to “reverse the action”. After experiencing a toe cramp, grab the cramped toe and use your hand to extend the toe in the opposite direction of the cramp.
After experiencing a calf cramp, press down on the knee of the calf and grab the cramped foot with the other hand to pull it up and back, allowing the calf muscles to stretch. Thigh cramps can be divided into two types: the anterior quadriceps and the posterior biceps.
After the former has a cramp, use the compression and stretching method on the back of the foot to bend the cramped leg backwards, and use one hand to forcefully press the back of the foot to press the heel against the buttocks, causing the cramped thigh muscles to stretch.
After the latter has cramps, straighten the knee joint, hold the calf or heel, pull the leg towards the body, and stretch the biceps femoris to recover. Abdominal muscle cramps can be restored in an upward float position. If there is a cramp in the abdominal cavity, it cannot be relieved on its own. It is necessary to endure it as much as possible and seize the opportunity to call for help.
When encountering danger or rescuing in seawater, do not touch unfamiliar creatures and be vigilant at all times to see if there are any creatures in the active waters that may actively attack humans. Harmful organisms can be divided into jellyfish, corals, sea anemones, etc. that can sting people, and jellyfish stings can even cause death. There are also stone dog males that can stab people, rattan pots and oysters that can cut the skin, sea snakes and cone snails that can poison people, as well as eels and sharks that can bite and even cause death. If encountering jellyfish stings, seawater can be used to flush and completely remove the remaining stinging cells on the skin. Applying vinegar to the affected area can alleviate symptoms. At the same time, it is necessary to seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
