CLEVELAND, Ohio - An emergency medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic Children's is emphasizing the critical importance of caution when swimming in lakes and rivers this summer.

"The hazards sometimes lie not with what meets the eye but what's beneath it," said Dr. Purva Grover, an emergency medicine physician. "So, there are hazards like rocks, plants, and debris, which sometimes you really don't see, especially in the free-flowing natural areas of water. So that’s something to consider."

Dr. Grover highlighted that water conditions in natural bodies can change with little warning. A calm surface can quickly conceal dangerous undertows, posing risks even to experienced swimmers. Poor visibility often compounds these hidden dangers.

To ensure safety, Dr. Grover advises the public to:

  • Swim only in designated areas where swimming is permitted.
  • Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for an essential layer of protection.

Learn CPR to be prepared for potential emergencies.

Designate a "water watcher" when children are swimming. Dr. Grover stressed that drownings are often silent, with no dramatic signs of struggle. "It just takes one or two gulps before someone can go under," she explained. "As soon as they go under, they have that vasovagal response, so they cannot scream or shout and it becomes a tragic situation very quickly."