INTRODUCTION:
 While
on your holidays in Gambia you should never swim anywhere alone as you
could get into trouble with no one around to help. If a lifeguard is
nearby then it maybe OK. Use your common sense in all situations involving
you going into water. The main rule is that if you are in doubt, then
keep out.
SEA:
You should take
a number of factors into consideration before attempting to swim in
the Atlantic Ocean. There can be certain times when the undercurrents
can be quite powerful with tall waves, and could take you under. Beach
swimming can sometimes be risky; so you should try and get advice on
safe bathing locations, and when it's safe to do so. Look out for the
sea condition flags placed on the sand along the beaches
by the attendant lifeguards, before going into the water. If there is
a red flag then don't enter the water. A yellow flag means you can swim
with caution but stay near the shoreline, and a green flag means it's
permissible to swim. This system of flags on the beach or areas
roped off using buoys also marks out potentially dangerous rocky areas
in the sand. If in doubt, keep out!
 Remember,
this is the open sea which can have various sea creatures close
to or on the shore. Jellyfish such as the Portuguese man-of-war,
sometimes make a presence. However this species is easy to spot, recognise,
and avoid, with its bright blue and pink body with long trailing, stinging
tentacles. Stingrays, though not common, sometimes make a presence.
Think also about wearing plastic shoes to avoid getting pricked by sea
urchins.
 Keep
to the areas of beach that are well used by people, and be very careful
about swimming along deserted sections of beach, such as in Gunjur,
Sanyang, Kartong
and others strands in south west Gambia.
SWIMMING POOLS:
 Never
dive into a hotel swimming pool without knowing where the deep-end is,
and how deep it is. The first time you go into any pool always walk
in using the steps, or lower yourself in feet first, irrespective of
what the pool depth indicators say, then examine with your own where
the deep end is. This is because it could be a new pool, and a mistake
has been made with the depth indicators. Such mistakes are not unknown
here.
 If
you are going to stay in a hotel then look for the ones which have children's
section pools, as well as one with an attendant lifeguard. If your
child needs, it then do bring along a couple of child's inflatable armbands,
and have someone responsible to keep an eye on them nearby.
RIVERS & CREEKS:
 The
River Gambia is known to have crocodiles,
which are common along the length of the river and in tributaries, and
hippos which reside upriver in the central regions. You should
avoid swimming anywhere along the river, as well as various streams
as you could encounter one of these animals.
Swimming in freshwater creeks can hold other risks such as contracting
various diseases. Tiny flukes released by  freshwater
snails harbour the disease schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia,
which can be passed onto you by the parasitic worms, which enter through
your skin. This can show up as a rash that same day, so if you see this
sign then get it checked by a doctor. Though the chances of you getting
infected on brief contact is fairly low, you should still be aware of
the risks. Another water borne disease is giardiasis, which is
an infection of the digestive system caused by a tiny parasite (Giardia
intestinalis) in contaminated water. Symptoms include stomach cramps
and bloating but it's not usually considered dangerous to human health
and can be easily treated. If you feel the need to take a dip then try
to do so at least 250 metres from the nearest settlement, rub a DEET
based insect repellent all over your body before swimming, stay for
less than 15 minutes and towel dry your skin vigorously.
Sometimes snakes are caught by fishermen in the creeks (bolongs).
 |
Travel Advice Heatstroke,
Sunburn Travelling
With Children
While
on your holidays in Gambia you should never swim anywhere alone as you
could get into trouble with no one around to help. If a lifeguard is
nearby then it maybe OK. Use your common sense in all situations involving
you going into water. The main rule is that if you are in doubt, then
keep out.
a number of factors into consideration before attempting to swim in
the Atlantic Ocean. There can be certain times when the undercurrents
can be quite powerful with tall waves, and could take you under. Beach
swimming can sometimes be risky; so you should try and get advice on
safe bathing locations, and when it's safe to do so. Look out for the
sea condition flags placed on the sand along the beaches
by the attendant lifeguards, before going into the water. If there is
a red flag then don't enter the water. A yellow flag means you can swim
with caution but stay near the shoreline, and a green flag means it's
permissible to swim. This system of flags on the beach or areas
roped off using buoys also marks out potentially dangerous rocky areas
in the sand. If in doubt, keep out!
Remember,
this is the open sea which can have various sea creatures close
to or on the shore. Jellyfish such as the Portuguese man-of-war,
sometimes make a presence. However this species is easy to spot, recognise,
and avoid, with its bright blue and pink body with long trailing, stinging
tentacles. Stingrays, though not common, sometimes make a presence.
Think also about wearing plastic shoes to avoid getting pricked by sea
urchins. 
Keep
to the areas of beach that are well used by people, and be very careful
about swimming along deserted sections of beach, such as in Gunjur,
Sanyang, Kartong
and others strands in south west Gambia.
Never
dive into a hotel swimming pool without knowing where the deep-end is,
and how deep it is. The first time you go into any pool always walk
in using the steps, or lower yourself in feet first, irrespective of
what the pool depth indicators say, then examine with your own where
the deep end is. This is because it could be a new pool, and a mistake
has been made with the depth indicators. Such mistakes are not unknown
here.
If
you are going to stay in a hotel then look for the ones which have children's
section pools, as well as one with an attendant lifeguard. If your
child needs, it then do bring along a couple of child's inflatable armbands,
and have someone responsible to keep an eye on them nearby.
The
River Gambia is known to have crocodiles,
which are common along the length of the river and in tributaries, and
hippos which reside upriver in the central regions. You should
avoid swimming anywhere along the river, as well as various streams
as you could encounter one of these animals. 
freshwater
snails harbour the disease schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia,
which can be passed onto you by the parasitic worms, which enter through
your skin. This can show up as a rash that same day, so if you see this
sign then get it checked by a doctor. Though the chances of you getting
infected on brief contact is fairly low, you should still be aware of
the risks. Another water borne disease is giardiasis, which is
an infection of the digestive system caused by a tiny parasite (Giardia
intestinalis) in contaminated water. Symptoms include stomach cramps
and bloating but it's not usually considered dangerous to human health
and can be easily treated. If you feel the need to take a dip then try
to do so at least 250 metres from the nearest settlement, rub a DEET
based insect repellent all over your body before swimming, stay for
less than 15 minutes and towel dry your skin vigorously. 
