For those who have not learned to swim or are too afraid to venture into the water, the Dead Sea is the ideal place.
If your goal is to go swimming in the sea without the danger of being pulled under or dragged away by waves, this is the right place for you.
Bordered by Jordan to the east, and Israel to the west, the Dead Sea is 304 meters deep and one of the world’s unique bodies. And its fame is not limited to being the saltiest sea on earth. Situated at a point 1,412 feet (430 meters) below sea level, it is the lowest point on the Earth’s surface. And to top it all, the Dead Sea is a lake.
With a salinity of 342 grams per kg or 34.2% salinity, it is the saltiest water body on earth and is 9.6 times as salty as ocean water. This makes the water super dense. At 1.24 kilograms per liter, swimming in the Dead Sea is similar to floating. A human body can not drown in its hypersaline water.
The high salt concentration of the Dead Sea makes sure that no plant or animal life can survive here, hence its name.
The high salt concentration drastically enhances the density of the water of the Dead Sea. This makes swimming in the normal sense almost impossible. Instead, you will end up floating on the water with the least amount of effort.
It is a singular experience for people who get into the water. Try as they might, they cannot push their body into the water. So while it is fairly easy to float around in the water, swimming in it by immersing the body is an impossible task. So instead of trying to make some headway, it is more convenient to just go limp and relax in the water.
Ensuring That You Stay Safe In The Dead Sea
Not all beaches along the Dead Sea are open to swimming. For instance, Israel has three beaches that are open to the public, Ein Bokek, Kalia, and Neve Midbar. Once you have selected a designated area to swim, ensure that there are lifeguards on duty. Ein Bokek has a lifeguard.
So if you are okay with foregoing the conventional way of swimming in water, you are good to go. You will not be doing strokes in the water due to its density. The same goes for dunking in the water. Even trying out these positions is an effort and is sure to make you tired soon.
The next best thing that you can do in the Dead Sea is just float on your back. But this is exactly what you should never be overdoing. You have to make sure that you do not get water into your eyes. The high salt content will sting badly if it gets into your eyes. The same goes for shave burns and minor cuts. And never ever swallow the water.
Wear an old bathing suit a new one will fade after just one visit to the beach. The maximum time that one should remain in the water.
Do not swim, or stay afloat, or remember to be in contact with the saline water for not more than 15 minutes. Also, remember to stay hydrated and drink copious amounts of water. The Dead Sea is bang in the middle of a desert and along with the salinity of the sea, it will dry you out quite fast.
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