People with epilepsy can swim and participate in water sports – as long as they take appropriate safety measures. You need to balance the risk of the activity with how your epilepsy affects you. Below are some tips to help make swimming and participating in water sports safer.
KNOW HOW TO SWIM
Whether your have epilepsy or not, knowing how to swim is the most basic tip for water safety.
Even if you don’t think you like swimming, knowing how to swim makes other activities on and near the water safer (boating, fishing, hiking, etc.)
TALK TO YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
Talk to your health care provider to determine if swimming and/or other water activities are right for you.
REMEMBER: A Seizure IN THE WATER IS ALWAYS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY – CALL 911
If you are with someone who has a seizure in the water, get the person out of the water and position them in a safe place. Then, follow the instructions in their Seizure Action Plan.
Seizure Safety Tips for Swimming
- NEVER swim alone and whenever possible, swim with a lifeguard on duty. If there is not a lifeguard, have a competent observer/watcher with you. ALWAYS swim with someone who knows you have seizures and can assist you if needed.
- If you are in a pool, swim in an outside lane so that it is easier for someone to help you if necessary.
- Wear brightly colored swim gear. Avoid colors that blend in with water and your surroundings, the blue in pool water, for example.
- Don’t let yourself get too tired. Make sure you are properly hydrated and your blood sugar does not drop.
- It is generally safer to swim in a swimming pool instead of open water (lake, ocean, river).
Seizure Safety Tips for Water Sports
- Wearing a life jacket is recommended for most water sports. It is also important to have someone with you who knows how to help if you have a seizure, like a coach, or instructor.
- Be realistic about the possible risks for the sport you are considering. For example, there is an additional risk if you were to have a seizure and overturn while canoeing or kayaking.
SUCCESS STORY:
Meet MORGAN. She was told she couldn’t participate in her school’s rowing crew team after her epilepsy diagnosis. Working with her Health Care Provider and her team, she found an inflatable vest she would wear – light enough to row with – but triggered to inflate upon submersion in the water. She was able to continue rowing and be ‘seizure safe’.