Rules for safe behaviour on and near bodies of water

Among the main causes of accidents on water are gross violations of safety regulations. Quite often, swimming in reservoirs not adapted and not equipped for these purposes ends tragically.

Among the main causes of accidents on water are gross violations of safety regulations. Quite often, swimming in reservoirs not adapted and not equipped for these purposes ends tragically. There are many cases when some people, showing off their skills, swim far from the shore, dive and jump into the water in unfamiliar places. As a result of such actions, one can not only die but also end up in a wheelchair for life due to injuries sustained from impacts.

Unfortunately, quite often during long school holidays, children are left to themselves and, when warm days arrive, they are drawn to the water. During this time, adults need to be especially attentive, as a tragedy can happen quickly, and it does not matter how old the child is – a preschooler or a teenager, they should swim and play near water bodies only under adult supervision. Unfortunately, after a tragedy has occurred, nothing can be corrected or returned, so it is better to take all safety measures in a timely manner, organise reasonable leisure activities for your children, and most importantly – never leave them unattended, even for a minute.

Safety Measures for Swimming

- refrain from swimming in unknown reservoirs not intended for this purpose; if there is no equipped beach nearby, choose a safe place to swim with a firm sandy, debris-free bottom and a gradual slope.

- avoid swimming alone;

- do not enter the water while intoxicated, as alcohol blocks the vasoconstrictor and vasodilator centres of the brain.

- never jump into the water in specially unequipped areas: you can hit your head on the bottom, a stone or another object, easily lose consciousness, injure yourself and die.

- it is forbidden to dive from bridges, piers, wharves, and to swim too close to passing boats, motorboats and vessels.

- it is forbidden to swim on inflatable mattresses, inner tubes (especially if you cannot swim). Wind or current can carry them very far from the shore, and waves can swamp them, air can escape, and they can lose buoyancy;

- do not allow rough horseplay in the water:

to dive under swimmers, grab them by the legs, "drown" them, give false signals for help, etc.;

- do not swim beyond the boundary markers, as they delineate an area with a verified bottom, a specific depth, where whirlpools are guaranteed to be absent, etc. Do not swim far from the shore or swim across a body of water for a bet.

- do not leave children unattended by the water.