Do not recklessly jump into the water

Having fun in the water is one of the most popular summer activities. However, all it takes is a moment of inattentiveness for a tragedy to occur. As many as 200 people drown in the Czech Republic every years. That is twice as many per capita as in Spain and Great Britain, for example. Drowning can affect anyone regardless of age or swimming ability. We can substantially increase the risk if we overestimate our strength or if we are affected by fatigue or cramping. The danger is further increased by the consumption of alcohol and other drugs. A sudden fall into the water, e.g. from a boat or paddleboard, can also lead to drowning. We should thus always think first and – as the saying goes – not get in over our heads. Jumping into the water in an unfamiliar place is one of the highest-risk activities.

When immediately coming to the aid of a drowning person, we should not forget about our own safety. Our first natural instinct may be to immediately jump into the water and try to pull the drowning person out. However, the current may be too strong and we can easily overestimate our own strength. We should first try to call for help – and shout to alert other people in the area, who may be more physically capable of rescuing the victim or can provide assistance until the emergency medical service arrives. To rescue a drowning person, we can use available items such as a rope, a tree branch, a PET bottle or a life preserver.

If we do not know exactly where we are in an unfamiliar environment, we can use the ZÁCHRANKA app to make emergency calls. Of course, it is necessary to wait for a connection with an operator on the 155 emergency line, who will determine our location via the app and send the coordinates to the emergency medical service (EMS). We will then follow the instructions of the operator, who is able to guide us in providing first aid. If we succeed in getting the drowning victim to shore, it is always necessary to determine whether he or she is breathing and, if necessary, immediately start resuscitation. The emergency operator at 155 will always give specific instructions on how to provide aid.

A venomous surprise

When taking a trip into the countryside or camping in the Czech Republic, we may be surprised by an encounter with the country’s only native species of venomous snake – the common viper. When walking in the forest, we can protect ourselves against its bite by wearing long trousers and sturdy shoes. If this dangerous reptile crosses our path, we should keep a safe distance from it. Vipers are shy and will attack when they are threatened. And is it possible to “scare” a viper away? Experts point out that even though snakes cannot hear, they can perceive shocks. Therefore, we can stomp our feet instead of making noise to frighten the reptiles away.

In the event of a snakebite, it is not necessary to suck out the venom, cut the wound or apply a tourniquet to the affected limb – these are myths that still persist among the lay public, but they probably will not protect our health in this situation. A snakebite may cause swelling at the wound site, vomiting, nausea, sweating, thirst, abdominal pain or diarrhoea, collapse or panic. In the most severe cases, there is also a risk of loss of consciousness, often due to an allergic reaction and oversensitivity of the body. The first thing to do when providing first aid is to stay calm. If possible, we can cool the wound. If the victim’s condition worsens, call 155 or seek medical attention. If a child is bitten, it is always necessary to call the emergency medical service.

Beware of toxic berries!

When out for a walk, we may get an appetite for fresh forest fruits. However, we should be particularly careful in distinguishing delicious blueberries from other, dangerous berries, such as herb-paris and belladonna berries. Whereas herb-paris occurs rather sporadically in the forest, belladonna can be found around almost every bend. Intoxication or poisoning initially manifests as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or headache.

Typical symptoms of belladonna poisoning include dilated pupils, dry mouth and confusion; in the most serious cases, there is a risk of epileptic seizure. In the event of berry poisoning, it is usually necessary to call the emergency medical service and immediately induce vomiting.

In urgent cases, when we suspect that we or someone else may have ingested something that may not be completely safe, we can contact the Prague Toxicology Information Centre at 224 91 92 93 or 224 91 54 02. An example of this is if we feel nauseous after eating mushrooms and we are not sure whether we have mistakenly consumed an inedible or poisonous species. In such a case, the emergency operator will give us instructions on how to provide first aid and how to proceed further. However, it is necessary to have prepared information about the accident, including the affected person’s full name and birth registration number, and the name of the health insurance provider. If any of the questionable food remains in a pot or on a plate, it is advisable to inform the EMS personnel of such fact. In some cases, it takes a significant amount of time for the effects of intoxication to appear, especially in the case of children.

If we are not sure about particular problems, the Doctor Online 24/7 service, which is available in the myCANADIAN app, offers a smart way to connect with a general practitioner for a consultation in just a few seconds. Via chat or video call, clients can connect with a specialist, who will help with diagnosing the problem and issue an ePrescription or recommend a further examination if necessary.