Prof. Dr. Sebe: Diving into unknown waters can cause paralysis and death

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Sebe, Chief Physician of ÇÜ Faculty of Medicine Balcalı Hospital and Lecturer at the Department of Emergency Medicine, noted an increase in the number of people entering the sea, ponds, and irrigation channels during the summer season. He emphasized that especially young people jumping into water from heights without awareness poses serious health risks. Prof. Dr. Sebe highlighted that the greatest danger in waters of unknown depth is spinal injuries, stating that there is a risk of paralysis and death.

'CAN CAUSE LOSS OF LIFE'

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Sebe stated that in uncontrolled jumps from heights, injuries to the head, arms, and legs, as well as internal organ damage, rib fractures, and lung collapse can occur. "One should never dive or jump into waters of unknown depth. The most dangerous outcome is the fracture of neck vertebrae or damage to the spinal cord behind the spine. In such cases, a person can become paralyzed, unable to use both arms and legs. We encounter such severe injuries especially when the head hits the ground in diving jumps. Although these cases are seen a few times a year, they can leave patients permanently disabled and even lead to loss of life," he said.

'PARENTS SHOULD KEEP THEIR CHILDREN UNDER SUPERVISION'

Prof. Dr. Sebe pointed out that joking around by the water also poses a great risk. "Due to the slippery ground, losing balance during a jump can also lead to internal organ injuries. Additionally, a momentary joke by the water can result in serious injuries and deaths. Children in areas with pools need to be constantly supervised. Small children can fall into the pool, be pushed, or fall into the water due to a collision. Therefore, parents must keep their children under supervision. Otherwise, we may face irreversible losses," he said.

'HEART PATIENTS SHOULD BE CAREFUL IN EXTREME SPORTS'

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Sebe also warned those interested in extreme sports, "For individuals without structural heart disease or congenital heart conditions, adrenaline can be exciting to a certain extent. However, in people with coronary artery disease or heart conditions, high adrenaline can strain the heart, cause arrhythmias, and lead to sudden increases in blood pressure. Therefore, individuals with health issues need to be very careful about extreme sports," he said.