Fact or Fake with Joseph Morong: 5 swimming myths debunked

Summer is definitely here, but before you jump in the water, you might want to brush up on some of the most common swimming myths that too many Filipinos have been led to believe.

On the latest episode of Fact or Fake with Joseph Morong, swimming expert Bing Benares debunks five misconceptions and inaccuracies about swimming:

1. Let's disabuse our mind, but peeing on your friend is not exactly the right way to cure a jellyfish sting.

According to experts, vinegar is the best way to go.

Benares explained that pouring urine to a jellyfish sting can even aggravate the burning sensation.

2. A swimming pool reeking of a chlorinated smell does not necessarily mean it's clean.

Experts tell us that the stronger odor is caused by chlorine mixed with all the ammonia swimming in the pool with you.

Sweat and urine from the the people who took a dip in the pool contain ammonia compounds.

3. Have you ever been scolded by your parents for not waiting 15 to 30 minutes after eating before jumping into the water? Spoiler alert: It doesn't guarantee you won't get any cramps after swimming all day in the sun.

While it's important that we give your body the right amount of time to digest, the true key to fight cramps is keeping yourself hydrated.

"Pag nagsi-swimming tayo, under tayo sa araw. So may tinatawag dito na dehydration. So 'yung electrolyte imbalance dito na sinasabi can probably be also the cause why nagka-cramps din," Benares said.

4. We also have some news for skin-conscious vacationers who are planning to blow the bank on sunblock with a higher SPF level.

For a swimming expert, products with SPF of over 50 that are generally more expensive don't make that much of a difference compared to cheaper ones with lower SPF.

"Probably a little difference ang nabibigay ng SPF 50 sa SPF 70, but hindi naman siya ganoon kalaki," Benares said.

5. Peeing in the pool isn't really a secret, especially when it exposes you and your fellow-vacationers to something called a recreational water illness(RWI).

"Puwedeng manggaling sa skin nila, puwedeng manggaling sa pag-wee-wee sa pool, that can probably be the cause of entry ng bacteria that can cause also sickness," Benares said.

Ingesting contaminated water can give you a really bad case of diarrhea. RWIs also make showering before a swim an act of kindness. —Margaret Claire Layug/LDF, GMA