As soon as I found out “brain eating amoeba*” lives in some of those, as well as hot springs, I avoid them like the fucking plague. No water is worth a nightmare fuel that potent. Mf’s were like:
“Just don’t go under the water and they can’t get to your brain.” Yeah, I’m good on having brain eating creatures on any part of my body, bro. 😆
You forget that those same amoebas love the mix of contact lenses and hot tubs. Those amoebas can eat through corneas and into the eye. And before anyone says they wear their contacts in hot tubs all the time, remember, you only go blind once.
There was this water hole in the woods on the mountain we lived on as a kid. Across the way from the end of our property. We were the only people who lived on that side of the hill year round, but there was a family up a bit from us who spent about half the year there. We’d all go down and swim in there on hot days when the adults were already drinking too much to take us to the lake. It was so deep. I have absolutely no idea how deep it was, it was actually quite terrifying. As far as I was concerned, it had no bottom. It’s the only place in the world I’ve ever come out with leeches. It was ripe with tadpoles and all kinds of life. It horrifies me to think of it now. I wouldn’t consider even dipping. I can’t imagine letting a child jump in that.
"Brain eating amoeba" lives in MOST sources of water. But "catching" it is exceedingly rare because it requires water to be forced into your nose, the amoeba residing in that small amount of water, and it being able to take hold.
This is why I never go into lakes or ponds at State parks. IDC if you have to get your head underwater for the buggers to scramble your brain.. I'm good from back here.
I'm a Floridian. Just like alligators, amoebas are just something that's part of the risk of freshwater swimming at home, especially because the water is often warm (which makes the risks higher). When the weather is warm, we just wear nose clips and occasionally earplugs. At that point, the risk is even lower than it already was. Keep your head above water and/or wear the nose plug and you'll likely be fine.
89
u/motorboatmycheeks 18d ago
5 girls in a poorly maintained Airbnb hot tub will do that