What Are The Hidden Dangers Of Swimming In Open Water?
MOUND, Minn. (WCCO)  Halfway through June and already theres been a dozen drownings across the Twin Cities, nine in Hennepin County alone. Many happened in lakes, ponds, and rivers. Good Question. The shallow end at Surfside beach doesnt automatically mean the safe end for parents Nicole Aul and Sadie Bow. Theyre fully suited in their life jacket, coast guard approved, Aul said of her two kids. They know that they need to put [life jackets] on before even going near the water, added Bow. That concern is only heightened when its open water. W wake comes by that youre not expecting, it comes over the top of your head, then you swallow water, you get discombobulated, said Aul. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, a nonprofit focused on keeping kids safe from injuries, more children and teenagers drown in open water than pools. While an inability to swim is often a factor, lakes and rivers also carry hidden dangers. Swimming in a lake, you dont know where the drop offs are, said Sgt. Bret Cline of the Hennepin County Water Patrol. Depth can be hard to gauge for several reasons. Murky water can make it difficult to see the bottom and drop offs occur suddenly. When youre finally able to stand in the water, the bottom might not be solid. Usually the mucky and sandy bottoms can kind of hold you down and suck you in, Cline said. You wont be able to raise your legs, it just kind of suction cups you down.  Thats what a mother felt as she tried to save your children struggling in Moore Lake earlier this month. I got off my raft and went under the water the sand sunk under my feet, she told WCCO. Her husband, LeLand Morris, drowned during the rescue attempt. That person thats struggling in the water that youre trying to help will grab onto you, theyll fight with you, theyll kick with you. And they will pull you under, Cline said. Its why they teach this motto: Reach, Throw, and Go. Reach means to extend a pole or rope for the person to grab. Throw means to throw something that floats into the water like a buoy, life jacket, or even a floatable cooler. Go, as in jumping into the water to help, is the last resort. Your muscles tighten up, sort of takes your breath away, said Aul. The shock is blood vessels constricting, said Cline, and it can impact even experienced swimmers. Causes you to gasp, gasp for air, you can suck in a lot of water in a quick amount of time and its all over, you go down, he said. Experts say people must be cognizant of and even dress for the water temperature, not just the air temperature. Rivers can appear calm but things change quickly beneath the surface. Once you get past your knees theres an undercurrent and itll sweep you under, said Cline. There are also currents that swirl near the shores in addition to the current running along the center. Vegetation kind of will suck you in, itll tangle in your legs, said Cline. Rather than frantically kick your way out of weeds, experts suggest staying calm to slowly untangle yourself. Panicking can lead to over exertion, meaning youll get tired quickly and could go under. For more tips on open water safety, click here. To learn more about the prevalence of drowning in open water, click here.