Four middle-school students in Nanjing tragically drowned on 31 July. Those deaths have joined many others in that which is something of an annual anomaly. Thus, emergency doctors have today released guidelines; best to avoid wild swimming, but if you do, stay safe.
7月31日，南京四名中学生不幸溺水身亡。这些死亡事件与其他许多死亡事件一样，是每年都会发生的反常现象。因此，急诊医生今天发布了指南；最好避免野外游泳，但如果这样做，请注意安全。
Summer is the season with a high incidence of drowning incidents, and 2023 is no exception. Some are related to the high, seasonal rainfall and associated flooding, but fully 20 percent involve youngsters who have decided to cool off with a spot of wild swimming.
夏季是溺水事件高发季节，2023年也不例外。其中一些与季节性高降雨量和相关洪水有关，但 20% 的事故涉及决定去野外游泳消暑的年轻人。
It sounds like fun and can be. But the potential dangers rack up fast. While Nanjing is proud of its many rivers and lakes, there are other spots which attract wild swimmers, such as reservoirs and artificial ponds.
听起来很有趣，也可以。但潜在的危险很快就会增加。虽然南京以其众多的河流和湖泊而自豪，但还有其他吸引野生游泳者的地方，例如水库和人工池塘。
A prime example is Zixia Lake on Purple Mountain, traditionally a heaven for foreigners in Nanjing looking for an adventurous swim in the hotter months. But the Lake has also seen more than its fair share of death.
一个典型的例子是紫金山的紫霞湖，传统上，这里是南京外国人在炎热的月份里冒险游泳的天堂。但该湖的死亡人数也超过了应有的比例。
As this publication has repeatedly reminded, the mountain-fed lake creates cold undercurrents that can cause life-threatening cramps. Go swimming with a friend, or at the very least, take a trailing-flotation device. Don’t be embarrassed; that’s what the pros do.
正如本刊物一再提醒的那样，这座山水形成的湖泊会产生寒冷的暗流，可能导致危及生命的痉挛。和朋友一起去游泳，或者至少带上一个尾随漂浮装置。不要感到尴尬；这就是专业人士所做的。
Shen Pei, a doctor with Nanjing Emergency Centre, spoke today with Nanjing Daily. “Drowning is the reason for the majority of abnormal deaths among primary and middle school students [during the summer holiday]”, said Shen. “On the surface, it looks calm, but in fact there are deadly dangers hidden in those waters.”
南京市急救中心医生沉培今日接受《南京日报》采访。 “溺水是中小学生非正常死亡的主要原因（暑假期间）”，沉说。 “表面上看起来风平浪静，但实际上那些水域里却隐藏着致命的危险。”
Shen was referring to the underwater structures of many reservoirs, rivers and ponds in the wild that are very complicated. Many have therein vertical drop offs, such as those in Huashen Lake.
沉先生指的是野外许多水库、河流和池塘的水下结构非常复杂。许多地方都有垂直落差，例如华神湖的落差。
Wild swimmers are therefore warned that the water depth may change by several metres just less than one metre from shore.
因此，野外游泳者应注意，距离海岸不到一米的地方，水深可能会发生几米的变化。
Experts remind that the accumulation of silt and overgrown aquatic plants in reservoirs accentuate the risk of drowning. During the flood season, reservoirs may release large volumes of water, creating a turbulent swimming environment from which many cannot escape.
专家提醒，水库淤泥堆积、水草生长茂盛，加剧了溺水风险。在洪水季节，水库可能会释放大量水，造成湍急的游泳环境，许多人无法逃脱。
Among the actions that can be taken to prevent drowning is that known as the knee-tuck method. Hold your knees with both hands and curl your head inward; the body will slowly float to the surface. When you feel your back leave the water, push down and raise your head to breathe.
可以采取的防止溺水的措施之一是所谓的“膝盖抱膝法”。双手抱膝，头向内卷；身体会慢慢浮到水面。当你感觉背部离开水面时，向下推并抬起头进行呼吸。
Experts emphasise that if a calf cramp occurs while wild swimming, grab the toes of the cramped limb with the opposite hand and pull it towards the body with force to relieve the spasm.
专家强调，如果在野泳时出现小腿抽筋，可用另一只手抓住抽筋肢体的脚趾，用力向身体方向拉，以缓解痉挛。
If lucky enough that a rescuer comes to your assistance, don’t panic and grab their hands, legs, waist, etc. Follow their instructions and let them take you ashore. Enjoy swimming in Nanjing, but do so with care.
如果幸运的话有救援人员来帮助你，不要惊慌，抓住他们的手、腿、腰等。按照他们的指示，让他们带你上岸。在南京享受游泳的乐趣，但要小心。
