You might be thinking that with all those people floating on their backs in the Dead Sea - thanks to its renowned salt levels adding a certain level of buoyancy you’ll never see anywhere else in the world – that it might be hard to get into difficulties, and impossible to drown…
But, what you might not know is that the Dead Sea is actually Israel’s second most dangerous swimming spot!
What the heck?
Yes, according to statistics recently release by Israel’s paramedic services, 2010 thus far has seen almost 117 people drown at Israel’s beaches, with 21 of them happening at the Dead Sea. Compare that with just two from the Red Sea (Eilat) and 11 from the Sea of Galilee. Unfortunately, one of the 21 rescues at the Dead Sea wasn’t successful.
A local hospital doctor said:
“It is impossible to sink in the Dead Sea and drown in the ordinary way, most people don’t drown in it; they trip, fall and swallow the water. The water’s high sodium concentration disrupts the body’s sodium balance, especially the calcium, magnesium and phosphorus levels. At the same time, it causes a pulmonary disorder, reminiscent of pneumonia. It is treated with an aggressive fluid infusion and diuretics and, if necessary, dialysis. The pulmonary damage is treated with added oxygen and, if necessary, short-term artificial resuscitation.”
In short, you’re going to end up with internal burns and chemical pneumonia if you swallow the water. So be careful, float and relax, but be aware that the Dead Sea has a darker side that you probably never realized existed…
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