Swimming off a hangover can be risky

Alcohol + Water + Summer = Drowning

It’s the morning after a big night and you’re feeling the effects of too much alcohol. So it can be tempting to “refresh” and take the edge off a hangover with a swim at the beach, or a dip in the cool waters of your local river or pool.

But you might want to think twice. The day after heavy drinking can affect your body, energy levels and perception of risk in many ways. This means you’re more likely to drown or make careless decisions – even without high levels of alcohol in your blood.

How about if you’re hungover?

Getting alcohol out of your body is a relatively slow process. On average, alcohol is metabolised at a rate of 0.015% per hour. So if someone stops drinking at 2am with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.20%, their alcohol levels don’t drop to zero until 4pm the next day.

Although hangovers can vary from person to person, typical symptoms include headache, muscle aches, fatigue, weakness, thirst, nausea, stomach pain, vertigo, irritability, sensitivity to light and sound, anxiety, sweating and increased blood pressure.

As well as feeling a bit dusty, the day after an evening of heavy drinking, you’re not so good at identifying risks and reacting to them. In a pool, this might mean not noticing it’s too shallow to dive safely. In natural waterways, this might mean not noticing a strong river current or a rip current at the beach. Or someone might notice these hazards but swim or dive in anyway.

Other hazards include…

…cold water, high waves and deep water, all of which your body may not be capable of dealing with if you’re feeling the effects of a big night. Plus, your judgement and reaction time may be impaired, making you more likely to take risks that could put you in danger.

What can we do about it?

Authorities regularly warn about the dangers of alcohol intoxication and being near the water. Young people and men are often targeted because these are the groups more likely to drown where alcohol is involved. Beaches may have alcohol-free zones. Rivers rarely have the same rules, despite similar dangers.

How to stay safe around water if you’re drinking

So take care this summer and stay out of the water if you’re not feeling your best:

• do your swimming before your drinking
• look out for your mates, especially ones who may have had a few too many or are hungover
• avoid getting back into the water after you’ve drunk alcohol or if you’re not feeling your best the next day.

Conclusion

It’s crucial to stay safe around water, especially when you’ve been drinking. While it may seem tempting to get back into the water to “refresh” and take the edge off a hangover, it’s not worth the risk. Stay out of the water until you’re feeling your best and take care to avoid any accidents or incidents. Remember, prevention is key to staying safe this summer.

FAQs

What is the typical rate of metabolism for alcohol in the body? On average, alcohol is metabolized at a rate of 0.015% per hour.

How long does it take for alcohol to clear from the system? It can take up to 4pm the next day for alcohol levels to drop to zero after a blood alcohol concentration of 0.20% at 2am.

What are some common hangover symptoms? Common hangover symptoms include headache, muscle aches, fatigue, weakness, thirst, nausea, stomach pain, vertigo, irritability, sensitivity to light and sound, anxiety, sweating and increased blood pressure.

Can I still participate in water activities if I had a few too many drinks? It’s not recommended to participate in water activities after drinking, even if you think you’re sober. Your body and judgement may be impaired, putting you and others at risk.

What should I do if I see someone who has been drinking and is near the water? If you see someone who has been drinking and is near the water, please intervene and try to get them to stay away from the water. If you’re concerned about their safety, call emergency services or seek medical attention.