9 tips to avoid beach accidents

This year the record of drowning in Spain of the last decade. Only 92 people died in July and there are already more than 300 so far this year. Among the victims, the majority group is the elderly: 94 of the deceased were between 65 and 74 years old and another 42, more than 75according to the latest data provided by the Royal Spanish Federation of Rescue and Safety (RFES).

This increase puts the focus, once again, in the vulnerability of a group that is increasing in Spainpushed by the progressive aging of the population. And it is an issue that is among the priorities on the agenda of Professional Colegio de Physiotherapists of the Community of Madrid(CPFCM), through the numerous actions he performs to favor healthy aging.

Aligned with geriatrics specialists, physiotherapists that work in this area, They defend the benefits that the beach brings to the health of the oldest populationamong others: it is a stimulus of the exercise; Relieves symptoms in diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumats or muscle problems; also Improves lung function and blood circulation; stimulates cell regeneration and defenses; and reduce stress.

However, as statistics show, Summer is not exempt from risks for these people: drowning, heat blows, solar burns, drops due to falls and health problems exacerbated by heat. Being a nucleus most vulnerable populationthe dangers facing the beach are also higher.

Issues to take into account for the elderly on the beach

What are the main Risk foci for the elderly? The first thing to keep in mind is that they are people who often have complex, type health problems sensory (Lack of vision, distorted perception of space, balance problems), strokes or dementia, or other ailments that can contribute to a poor operation And, therefore, they cause a greater risk of accidents and injuries.

Linked to this circumstance and the growing number of drowning that are taking place this summer, Madrid physiotherapists have developed a List of tips on aspects in which you have to have greater surveillance And the way to avoid beach accidents with the elderly:

• Balance. The orography of the beach, the fact of going barefoot and the thrust of the waves, is, for the elderly, a barrier that hinders its mobility. Give the bathroom always accompanied, when there is green flag, in shallow areas, easily accessible to water, without algae or rocky banks or stairs, and avoiding a waves with a lot of foam so that there is good visibility, they are the advice that the CPFCM contributes in this case.
• Decrease in risk perception. As the years go by, especially in those cases of people who have no important disease and apparently strong, the perception of risk decreases. That makes some elders not aware of the dangers that can run, because they minimize any difficulty they consider less, such as vision alterations, space perception and senses. The Council: Surveillance and Supervision.
• Disorientation It is, without a doubt, one of the biggest problems with the elderly, emphasized when it comes to an open, broad, little known and with many people. To prevent it from generating a risk, it is important that the elderly move or bathe accompanied and that, upon reaching the beach, their companions offer them simple instructions on the situation of the lifeguards, with the recommendation to stay still and ask for them in case of not knowing where they are.
• High cold sensitivity. As one becomes older, it becomes more sensitive to temperature changes. It is important to prevent the impact of water from causeing a sharp drop in body temperature, so that the entry into the water should be paused, allowing the body to acclimatize to change.
• Hypotensor or sedative effect medication. These types of drugs facilitate hypothermia processes in case the water is cold or a abrupt dive occurs. Patients scheduled with this medication should go to the water accompanied.
• Specific medical problems. Two of the most dangerous medical conditions for bathrooms, both in beach and in pools, are heart and neurological problems. If a patient of this type scares when suffering a small mishap, the risk of having a heart accident is much higher, as is the case to those who suffer from ailments such as Parkinson, epileptic episodes or some cognitive disorder.
• Hydration. It is one of the battle horses of the age people, since they do not feel thirst as the youngest and this leads to, in many cases, they do not drink what they need. The risk of dehydration is even greater on the beach, so the elderly must drink continuously, not yet being thirsty.
• Heat blows. An important risk that is somehow linked to the previous one are heat blows. In addition to hydration, its prevention requires: to carry a comfortable, fresh clothing, of tissues that perspire and with a loose adjustment; approved sunglasses; hats or caps that protect the head of the sun; Avoid central hours of the day, when there is a higher temperature; Use protective cream with a high factor; Crepreseidize the face, neck and dolls and look for the shadow.
• Feeding. Not only is it important to drink, also food in beach days is very relevant. Meals must be light, with refreshing fruits high in water and avoiding copious intakes with fatty products.
• T -shirt ailments. There are very common disorders of the beach that, in the case of the elderly, especially if they suffer from previous diseases, they can collect more importance, such as otitis, conjunctivitis or fungi.