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A doctor warned that diving into water quickly may result in serious injuries.
Evan Davies, a spinal surgeon from the University Hospital Southampton, warned against the possible dangers of diving into shallow water or plunging headfirst into water from slides. His warning followed his encounters with cases of injuries, paralysis, and even death reported from vacation spots and water parks.
Davies cited the case of a man who got on a water slide at a water park in Spain. The man slid down headfirst, and upon hitting the water, his head jerked forward. This accident ended up breaking two bones in his neck and caused him to experience temporary paralysis.
The doctor also operated on a man who dove into shallow water in Croatia. The patient hit rocks hidden in the water and injured his spine.
Spinal cord injuries are critical because the nerves in the spine allow the senses to function and the body to move. These injuries can cause damage to the nerves, which disables the transmission of signals from the brain. When the brain loses connection with certain parts of the body, patients may not be able to feel or move, and they may even become paralyzed.
According to Davies, when people enjoy themselves on vacation, they often overlook potential dangers around them. Injuries resulting from these dangers may be devastatingly life-changing and irreversible even with surgery. Davies also emphasized that the lack of danger warnings in vacation spots and water parks may trigger health hazards. He therefore advised vacationers to carefully assess their environment and avoid anything that might jeopardize their health and safety.