The number of accidents on the water increases significantly in the summer. "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 is lost." Therefore, alcoholic beverages are the main accomplices in drowning. They dull the sense of danger and the instinct for self-preservation ("I can swim it!"). You must not mix these two pleasures – swimming and drinking. "A drunk person in the water is half drowned," says a wise folk proverb. An intoxicated person is unable to adequately assess the situation and may commit acts they would never commit when sober. It is necessary to remember that the chances of an intoxicated person drowning are multiplied. In most cases, emergencies occur during the consumption of alcoholic beverages, when swimming while intoxicated, or swimming in prohibited areas where there are no rescue stations. An intoxicated person: ⚠️ vigilance is dulled. They overestimate their abilities and swim too far; ⚠️ coordination is impaired. Alcohol slows down movements, breathing rhythm is disrupted, the swimmer chokes and sinks; ⚠️ water temperature is poorly perceived; ⚠️ cramps in the arms and legs occur more frequently. This year alone, during the swimming season, 3 citizens in a state of alcoholic intoxication have drowned in the Lepel district. OSVOD reminds: In accordance with the decision of the Lepel District Executive Committee No. 704 of June 6, 2024, places for mass recreation of citizens have been designated (city beach, Lake Svyatoye beach, Lepel Military Sanatorium beach, KUP DROTS Zhemchuzhina, Borovka village beach), as well as prohibited places for swimming in ponds intended for fire water supply in the district, and also places not designated by the decision of the Lepel District Executive Committee for citizen recreation. Water Safety Rules Visit only equipped beaches where there are all means for rescue and first aid. In unfamiliar bodies of water, the bottom may pose a danger in the form of broken glass, snags, metal rods, and other debris. Do not swim in marshy areas or where there is silt and algae. It is best to choose bodies of water with sandy or pebbly bottoms.
Is it advisable to swim while intoxicated?
23/07/202623 views
The duration of bathing 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 your body is overheated by the sun.
Water safety in summer does not permit rough games involving submersion and holding underwater.
Bathing after meals is allowed only 1.5-2 hours later.
The duration of bathing should not exceed 15-20 minutes.
Visitors to beaches are prohibited from:
- bathing in areas where bathing is prohibited, 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;
bathing while intoxicated with alcohol and/or under the influence of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues, toxic or other stupefying substances;
- swimming beyond the boundaries marking the beach water area;
- approaching vessels, floating objects;
- climbing on technical and warning signs, buoys, other objects;
- swimming on sports equipment, boards, sun loungers, logs, car inner tubes, inflatable mattresses, or other items;
- using rescue equipment and gear for purposes other than intended;
- organising games in the water involving diving and grabbing a bather, as well as performing other actions that may cause an accident;
- giving false alarm signals;
- leaving children under 14 years of age unsupervised;
- washing laundry, cleaning vehicles, bathing 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 beach area and bathing areas, the boundaries of which are marked by buoys.
Observing elementary safety measures on water bodies during the summer period will make your recreation safe.
Head of Lepel Rescue Station