Latest news with #bathers
BreakingNews.ie
09-07-2025
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
Warnings issued over painful weever fish as weather improves
The National Poisons Information Centre of Ireland has issued a warning over the dangers of weever fish around the coast. There have already been dozens of reports of bathers being stung by the dangerous tiny fish from beaches up and down the country. Advertisement With the weather expected to get better in the coming days, more and more people will flock to the coastline. The tiny fish have sharp spines containing venom on their dorsal fin. They are found all parts of the Irish coast but only in sandy areas, usually in warm shallow waters in the hour before and after low tide. Unlike most fish, they have no swim bladder, meaning that they sink to the bottom as soon as they stop swimming. Advertisement They are, therefore, difficult to see because they spend most of their time buried under the sand. Standing on a weever fish results in immediate intense, burning pain with the most intense pain coming in the first two hours. The painful sting can also result in swelling, numbness and warmth. The NPIC this week issued a warning to people to beware of the tiny predator and were inundated with comments from people across the country telling of their frightening experiences. Advertisement Therese Kavanagh revealed "Stood on one of these in Kilmuckridge in Wexford a few year back oh good Jesus the pain is awful, I'd never heard of weaver fish at the time but thankfully my neighbour did and knew exactly what to do when she seen my foot. "Put swim shoes or crocs on the kids going in the water and don't let kids sit at the shoreline/ shallow water this is where they are found most" Robert Alan said "Stepped on one of these on Achill Island and it's not fun! Thankfully the lifeguards knew what it was straight away and stuck the kettle on." Ross Stewart said "It's agony. Get spiked at ten years old at Brittas Bay. Will never forget the pain." Advertisement The NPIC has issued a list of guidelines for people to follow if they are stung by the tiny pest. People should: * Seek assistance from a lifeguard, if available. * Submerge the affected limb or wound in hot water, as hot as can be tolerated for up to 90 minutes or until pain is easing. * As the sting can result in numbness, immerse the unaffected limb too, as this may prevent inadvertent scalding. * Cold applications may worsen the discomfort. * Paracetamol can be considered to relieve pain. Care should be taken when pain relief is given that thermal burns do not occur due to the effects of the pain killer masking the temperature of the water used. * The puncture site should be examined and embedded spines removed. * Seek medical attention from a doctor as a tetanus and/or antibiotics may be required. * Call the NPIC on 01 8092166 if you stand on a weever fish.
CBC
08-07-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Grand Splash event in Montreal cancelled due to heavy rains
The annual Grand Splash de Montréal, where hundreds of bather gather to jump into the St. Lawrence River and make a splash, has been cancelled due to Monday's heavy rain. Organizers of the event explained that the flooding caused sewage overflows which can affect water quality. Fondation Rivières said because of the risk of water contamination, swimming in the Jacques-Cartier Basin was not recommended for the next 72 hours, leading to the cancellation. According to the foundation, more than 250 people were registered for the event scheduled for 12:30 p.m on Tuesday. Participants were expected to swim or paddle in the St. Lawrence River.
Japan Times
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Japan Times
'Childhood dream': Seine reopens to Paris swimmers after centurylong ban
The River Seine reopened to swimmers in Paris on Saturday morning, marking the first time since 1923 that bathers could take a dip in the iconic waterway following a yearslong cleanup effort. A few dozen people of all ages arrived ahead of the 8:00 a.m. opening of the Bras Marie swimming zone — one of three open in Paris this summer — donning swim caps and goggles as they prepared to dive in and celebrate the long-awaited return of bathing in the Seine. "I thought it would be freezing cold but it's actually great," said Karine, 51, a care worker from southeast of Paris, and one of the first to jump in. The seasonal opening of the Seine for swimming is seen as a key legacy of the 2024 Paris Olympics, when open-water swimmers and triathletes competed in its waters, which were specially cleaned for the event. "It's a childhood dream to have people swimming in the Seine," said Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who visited the site in the city's historic center near Ile Saint-Louis. "Look at how happy everyone is," she said with a smile. Parisians and visitors looking to cool off this summer can take the plunge — weather permitting — under the watchful eye of lifeguards in fluorescent yellow T-shirts at the three bathing sites, including one a stone's throw from the Eiffel Tower. The swimming zones are equipped with changing rooms, showers, and beach-style furniture, offering space for 150 to 300 people to relax, lay out their towels, and unwind from the city's hustle and bustle. Paris officials say they have taken several measures to ensure swimmers can safely enjoy the long-anticipated reopening, including daily water pollution testing and implementing a swim test for bathers. "The water quality is "exceptional," said Marc Guillaume, the prefect for the Ile-de France region that includes Paris. "We are monitoring two bacteria, E. coli and enterococci, and for one we are 10 times below the thresholds and for the other more than 25 times below," he said. But officials reminded swimmers of potential dangers, including strong currents, boat traffic, and an average depth of 3.5 meters (11 feet). "The Seine remains a dangerous environment," said local official Elise Lavielle earlier this week. To mitigate that risk, lifeguards will assess visitors' swimming abilities before allowing independent access, while a decree issued in late June introduced fines for anyone swimming outside designated areas. The promise to lift the swimming ban dates back to 1988, when then-Paris mayor of Paris and future President Jacques Chirac first advocated for its reversal, around 65 years after the practice was banned in 1923. "One of my predecessors (Chirac), then mayor of Paris, dreamed of a Seine where everyone could swim," President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X, describing the move as the result of a "collective effort" and a moment of "pride" for France. Ahead of the Olympic Games, authorities invested approximately €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) to improve the Seine's water quality. Since then, work carried out upstream promises even better water quality — with one catch. On rainy days, the mid-19th-century Parisian sewage system often overflows, causing rain and wastewater to pour into the river. Flags will inform bathers about pollution levels in the water every day, and if it rains, the sites will likely close the day after, said Paris city official Pierre Rabadan. Swimmers may be in luck this year, though, with weather predicted to be drier than the record rainfall during the Games, which led to the cancellation of six of the 11 competitions that were to be held on the river. The opening comes after the French capital during the week endured a major heat wave that saw Paris put on the weather agency's highest alert level. Hidalgo, who took the inaugural swim last year, said that cleaning up the Seine for the Olympics was not the final goal but part of a broader effort to adapt the city to climate change and enhance quality of life. "Heat waves are only going to increase," the Paris mayor said, adding creating safe swim spaces will foster a "happier, and undoubtedly more peaceful life with our fellow citizens." One of the swimmers on Saturday expressed gratitude for the Seine's re-opening. "Thank you, Ms. Hidalgo. This is so cool," the bather shouted from the water. The swimming spots are open to the public for free until Aug. 31.
CNA
05-07-2025
- Sport
- CNA
'Childhood dream': Seine reopens to Paris swimmers after century-long ban
PARIS: The River Seine reopened to swimmers in Paris on Saturday morning (Jul 5), marking the first time since 1923 that bathers could take a dip in the iconic waterway following a years-long cleanup effort. A few dozen people of all ages arrived ahead of the 8am opening of the Bras Marie swimming zone - one of three open in Paris this summer - wearing swim caps and goggles as they prepared to dive in and celebrate the long-awaited return of bathing in the Seine. "I thought it would be freezing cold but it's actually great," said Karine, 51, a care worker from southeast of Paris, and one of the first to jump in. The seasonal opening of the Seine for swimming is seen as a key legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics, when open-water swimmers and triathletes competed in its waters which were specially cleaned for the event. "It's a childhood dream to have people swimming in the Seine," said Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, who visited the site in the city's historic centre near the Ile Saint-Louis. "Look at how happy everyone is," she said with a smile. Parisians and visitors looking to cool off this summer can take the plunge - weather permitting - under the watchful eye of lifeguards in fluorescent yellow T-shirts at the three bathing sites, including one a stone's throw from the Eiffel Tower. The swimming zones are equipped with changing rooms, showers, and beach-style furniture, offering space for 150 to 300 people to relax, lay out their towels, and unwind from the city's hustle and bustle. Paris officials say they have taken several measures to ensure swimmers can safely enjoy the long-anticipated reopening, including daily water pollution testing and implementing a swim test for bathers. "The water quality is "exceptional", said Marc Guillaume, the prefect for the Ile-de France region that includes Paris. "We are monitoring two bacteria, E. coli and enterococci, and for one we are ten times below the thresholds and for the other more than 25 times below," he said. But officials reminded swimmers of potential dangers, including strong currents, boat traffic, and an average depth of 3.5 metres. "The Seine remains a dangerous environment," said local official Elise Lavielle earlier this week. To mitigate that risk, lifeguards will assess visitors' swimming abilities before allowing independent access, while a decree issued in late June introduced fines for anyone swimming outside designated areas. The promise to lift the swimming ban dates back to 1988, when then-mayor of Paris and future president Jacques Chirac first advocated for its reversal, around 65 years after the practice was banned in 1923. "MORE PEACEFUL LIFE" "One of my predecessors (Chirac), then mayor of Paris, dreamed of a Seine where everyone could swim," President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X, describing the move as the result of a "collective effort" and a moment of "pride" for France. Ahead of the Olympic Games, authorities invested approximately 1.4 billion euros (US$1.6 billion) to improve the Seine's water quality. Since then, work carried out upstream promises even better water quality - with one catch. On rainy days, the mid-19th-century Parisian sewage system often overflows, causing rain and waste waters to pour into the river. Flags will inform bathers about pollution levels in the water every day, and if it rains, the sites will likely close the day after, said Paris city official Pierre Rabadan. Swimmers may be in luck this year, though, with weather predicted to be drier than the record rainfall during the Games, which led to the cancellation of six of the 11 competitions held on the river. The opening comes after the French capital during the week endured a major heatwave that saw Paris put on the weather agency's highest alert level during a Europe-wide heatwave. Hidalgo, who took the inaugural swim last year, said that cleaning up the Seine for the Olympics was not the final goal but part of a broader effort to adapt the city to climate change and enhance quality of life. "Heatwaves are only going to increase", the Paris mayor said, adding that creating safe swim spaces will foster a "happier, and undoubtedly more peaceful life with our fellow citizens". One of the swimmers on Saturday expressed gratitude for the Seine's reopening. "Thank you, Ms. Hidalgo. This is so cool," the bather shouted from the water. The swimming spots are open to the public for free until Aug 31.
CTV News
23-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
How to avoid heat stroke and stay cool during extreme heat
Bathers bob in the wave pool to beat the heat at the Super Aqua club, Tuesday, July 28, 2015 in Pointe-Calumet, Que. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz) With large parts of Ontario and Quebec facing heat warnings this week, Environment Canada is urging Canadians to stay cool and be on the lookout for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. What is heat exhaustion? Heat exhaustion is when your body overheats, usually due to high outside temperatures combined with physical activity or high humidity. Early signs of heat exhaustion can include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine, muscle cramps, intense fatigue and rapid breathing or heartbeat. Anyone with these symptoms is advised to move to a cool place and drink liquids right away. If not addressed, heat exhaustion can progress into dangerous heat stoke. What is heat stroke? Heat stroke is a potentially fatal medical emergency. Signs and symptoms can include high body temperature, confusion and lack of coordination, slurred words, dizziness or fainting, and very hot or red skin without sweating. Seek medical help or call 911 immediately if you suspect someone has heat stroke. While waiting for assistance, move the person to a cool place if possible, fan them as much as you can, remove extra clothing, and apply cold water or ice packs around their body. Who is most at risk? Those who are most at risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke are older adults, infants and young children, people who work or are active outdoors, and people with breathing difficulties, heart problems or psychiatric illnesses. Some medications can also make you more susceptible to the heat. How to stay cool in extreme heat? Staying indoors where there is air conditioning is the easiest way to keep cool during extreme heat. If you don't have air conditioning at home, try a library, movie theatre, grocery store, shopping mall or community cooling centre. Other places to cool down could include a tree-shaded area, a swimming pool or lake. Wearing loose-fitting, breathable and light-coloured clothing can help. Cool showers or baths can also keep you refreshed. You should avoid strenuous outdoor activities, or schedule them for cooler times of day like the early morning or late evening. It's best to limit direct exposure to the sun. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids is also essential. You can also help keep your home cool by closing curtains or blinds during the day and making meals that don't require an oven.
