During the summer, the number of accidents on water bodies particularly increases. "Heat, dehydration, and accelerated blood flow cause even small doses of alcohol to be absorbed faster and have a stronger effect. Self-control and situational awareness are rapidly lost, coordination deteriorates, and the strength needed for swimming diminishes." Therefore, alcoholic beverages are the main accomplices in drowning incidents.
They dull the sense of danger and the instinct for self-preservation ("I can swim that far!"). One must not combine these two pleasures: swimming and drinking. "A drunk person in the water is halfway to drowning," says a wise folk proverb. An intoxicated person is unable to adequately assess the situation and may commit actions they would never undertake when sober.
It is essential to remember that the chances of drowning for an intoxicated person increase manifold. In most cases, emergencies occur during the consumption of alcoholic beverages, when swimming while intoxicated, or bathing in prohibited areas without rescue stations.
An intoxicated person experiences:
dulled vigilance. They overestimate their abilities and swim too far;
impaired coordination. Alcohol slows movements, disrupts breathing rhythm, causing the swimmer to inhale water and sink;
poor perception of water temperature;
more frequent cramps in the arms and legs.
This year alone, during the swimming season, 2 citizens in a state of alcohol intoxication have drowned within the Lepel district.
OSVOD reminds:
In accordance with the decision of the Lepel District Executive Committee No. 704 of June 6, 2024, designated areas for mass public recreation have been established (city beach, Lake Svyatoye beach, Lepel Military Sanatorium beach, KUP DROTS Zhemchuzhina, Borovka village beach), as well as prohibited bathing areas in ponds intended for fire-fighting water supply in the district, and also areas not designated by the decision of the Lepel District Executive Committee for public recreation.
Rules of conduct on water:
Visit only equipped beaches where all rescue and first aid facilities are available. In unfamiliar water bodies, the bottom may pose dangers such as broken glass, snags, metal rods, and other debris.
Swimming is prohibited in marshy areas, as well as in places with silt and algae. It is best to choose bodies of water with sandy or pebbly bottoms.
The duration of swimming should depend on the air and water temperature, as well as the wind strength.
The recommended ambient temperature is at least +20°C in clear, windless weather.
Enter the water gradually, especially if the body is overheated by the sun.
Water safety in summer prohibits rough games involving diving and holding someone underwater.
Swimming is permitted only 1.5-2 hours after a meal.
The duration of swimming should not exceed 15-20 minutes.
Visitors to beaches are prohibited from:
- swimming in prohibited areas, as well as during dark hours;
consuming alcoholic, low-alcohol beverages, beer, narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues, toxic or other stupefying substances on beaches;
swimming while intoxicated and/or under the influence of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues, toxic or other stupefying substances;
- swimming beyond the boundaries marking the beach area;
- approaching vessels and floating objects;
- climbing on technical and warning signs, buoys, or other objects;
- swimming on sports equipment, boards, loungers, logs, car inner tubes, inflatable mattresses, or other items;
- using rescue equipment and gear for unintended purposes;
- organising water games involving diving and grabbing swimmers, as well as performing other actions that may cause an accident;
- giving false alarm signals;
- leaving children under 14 years of age unattended;
- washing laundry, vehicles, or animals.
- Jumping into the water from vessels, floating objects, bridges, piers, dams, other hydraulic structures and devices is prohibited, as is the entry, manoeuvring, and parking of vessels in the vicinity of beaches and swimming areas marked by buoys.
Adherence to elementary safety measures on water bodies during the summer period will ensure a safe holiday.
Head of the Lepel Rescue Station Михно И.А