Water rescue warns: Despite the heat, it’s still not suitable for swimming

The first weekend with almost 30 degrees is already behind us, after a short break in cold air it will be nice and warm again next weekend.

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But the summery appearance is deceptive. The water temperatures in the local lakes do not yet exceed the 10 degree mark. And a jump or fall into the water can quickly become life-threatening, warns the Upper Austria water rescue team: The cold water can lead to a panic reaction and the associated disorientation, to circulatory collapse and unconsciousness, and a longer stay in the water can lead to life-threatening hypothermia.

Take precautions

For sports on the water, protective equipment should be worn, and a life jacket should be worn on boats, recommends deputy state manager Martin Eberl. But even sport in protective suits is not entirely without danger: stand-up paddlers should definitely try it out near the shore to see whether they can actually get back on their board without any problems in a wetsuit, advises the public relations officer.

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Even though the volunteer members of the water rescue team work all year round, one should keep in mind that the bathing season in Upper Austria only starts in a few weeks, said Eberl.

Current water temperatures:

• Traunsee (measuring station near Ebensee): 8.3 degrees
• Attersee (measuring station near Weißenbach): 8.9 degrees
• Mondsee (Measuring station near Mondsee): 12.8 degrees
• Wolfgangsee (Measuring station near Strobl): 11.4 degrees
• Lake Hallstatt (measuring station near Steeg): 7.4 degrees
• Gosausee: 1 degree

(Source: Hydrographic Service State Upper Austria)