Can you swim in the river or lake in August - this question is often asked by lovers of outdoor recreation. There is a steady opinion that in the last month of summer comes into the open water in no case it is impossible not to incur trouble on yourself. But with what this ban is connected and there is a scientific basis for it, I know far from all.
Since August you can not swim?
The national tradition connects the ban on bathing in natural reservoirs with the feast of Elijah the Prophet, celebrated on August 2. But in the church canon, there is nothing like this - theologians and religious scholars note that believers are not at all forbidden to enter the open water either in the last month of the summer, or even later. The official closure of the swimming season is also not related to a specific number: doctors advise stop water procedures when the temperature of the water drops below 18-20 degrees - this is dangerous for health and for life. If the weather permits, then you can swim in the river or lake up to the Nut of the Savior, and on the Transfiguration of the Lord - on August 19, when, according to legend, water acquires healing power, ablution in natural reservoirs, on the contrary, was extremely desirable.
Is it possible to swim in the river, lake, pond in August - a popular and scientific explanation
It is noteworthy that both the folk sign and the scientific interpretation of the prohibition have the same roots - rational. Our ancestors came up with a ban on bathing to protect unreasonable people from the risk of getting sick. People said that on August 2, "Ilya wrote to water," because the water in the open reservoirs becomes too cold, and therefore swimming in it is fraught with colds, bronchitis , chilled kidneys, etc. troubles. The modern cold confirms the validity of the ancient sign: from the 2nd of August the dawns become cold, and the water does not have time to warm up. Bathing can have a cold, they can reduce their legs with a spasm - then swimming and completely end in disaster.