What should I do if I get leg cramps while swimming?

Many people experience leg cramps when swimming. One reason is the sudden stimulation of cold water, while others suffer from too much tension. However, when leg cramps occur in the water, people will be unable to exert force, which can often put their lives in danger. Therefore, some self-help measures are very necessary at this time. So, what should you do if you get leg cramps while swimming?

When cramps occur, you should go ashore and dry your body immediately. If you are in deep water or have severe leg cramps. If you are unable to swim back to shore, you should stay calm.

Call for help, or float on the water yourself to control the cramped area. Often after rest, the cramped muscles will relieve themselves and the swimmer can go ashore to rest.

Finger cramps: Clench your hand into a fist, then open it forcefully. After opening it, quickly clench your fist again. Repeat this several times until you feel relieved.

Palm cramps: Use your other hand to press the cramped palm toward the back and vibrate it.

Arm tendon stretch: Make a fist and bend your elbow as much as possible, then stretch it out forcefully. Repeat this several times.

Calf or toe cramps: Use the hand on the opposite side of the cramped calf to hold the toes of the cramped leg, pull upward with force, and press on the knee of the cramped calf with the palm of the same hand to help straighten the calf.

Thigh cramp: Bend the cramped thigh at a right angle to the body and bend the knee joint. Then hold the calf with both hands, press it against the thigh and vibrate it, then straighten it forward.

Rectus abdominis cramp: Rectus abdominis cramp is a cramp in the abdomen (stomach). Bend your lower limbs close to your abdomen, hold your knees with your hands, and then straighten them forward.

If you get leg cramps in the water and others are unable to rescue you in time, it can be life-threatening. Therefore, people who like swimming must learn some self-rescue methods. This is the most basic common sense that swimmers should master. It can help them save themselves when danger comes and protect their lives.