Glossary
Open water
Natural water such as lakes, rivers, ponds and oceans, as opposed to pools. It hides currents, drop-offs and cold.
Open water, also called natural water, means streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and oceans, including lakes formed by dams, as the National Park Service (opens in a new tab) defines it. It is very different from a pool, and almost half of drowning deaths among people 15 and older happen there (CDC (opens in a new tab)).
Common open-water hazards:
- currents that may be invisible on the surface;
- sudden drop-offs, ledges and holes;
- cold water that can cause cold shock, even in summer;
- underwater trees, plants and rocks that can trap a swimmer;
- murky water and distances that are farther than they look.
The Red Cross (opens in a new tab) says to be water competent for natural environments before swimming there and to always enter unknown water feet first. The CDC (opens in a new tab) says children should wear life jackets for all activities in and around natural water, and to choose sites with lifeguards when possible. See why lakes are not pools, open-water skills for pool swimmers and the Lakes are not pools infographic.
What you can do today: before your next lake or river trip, look up whether there is a lifeguarded swim area.