With the onset of hot summer weather, the desire of vacationers to spend most of their free time at water bodies is understandable, but it is difficult to comprehend why even adults so often neglect safety rules, exposing themselves and their loved ones to mortal danger.
With the onset of hot summer weather, the desire of vacationers to spend most of their free time at water bodies is understandable, but it is difficult to comprehend why even adults so often neglect safety rules, exposing themselves and their loved ones to mortal danger.
In Belarus, a large number of people die annually at water bodies, as confirmed by OSVOD statistics. Thus, in 2017, 375 people drowned, including 25 children; in the Vitebsk region, 75 people drowned, including five children.
Any water body is not only a place for recreation but also a zone of danger. And caution on the water is not a requirement of OSVOD and rescuers, not excessive vigilance or someone's overcautiousness – it is, first and foremost, a necessity.
Being at a water body requires adherence to rules that must be strictly observed.
- On a hot day, do not rush headlong into the water. Sudden cooling causes reflex muscle contraction, which leads to respiratory arrest.
- You should only swim in designated areas, where there is no danger to your health.
- Set a limit beyond which it is inadvisable to swim. Enter the water cautiously. It is best to swim in the morning or evening, when the sun is warm but there is no risk of overheating. The water temperature should not be below 18-19 0C, and the air temperature should be 20-25 0C. The most favourable conditions for swimming are clear, windless weather.
- Under no circumstances should you swim until you shiver. Muscle cramps during swimming, caused by prolonged immersion in water, are often the cause of accidents.
- If you are caught by a current and carried to an unfamiliar place, do not panic. It is better to swim with the current, gradually approaching the shore at a slight angle.
- It is very dangerous to dive headfirst into the water from piers, as well as from rafts and other floating objects! There may be piles, rails, stones, etc. underwater. You can only dive where there is sufficient depth, clear water, and a level bottom.
- Do not swim beyond the boundary markers, as they indicate an area with a checked bottom and a specific depth. Swimming in the zone of water intake stations, dams, piers, moorings, and other hydraulic structures is strictly prohibited.
- Do not swim close to passing vessels or boats, which create various whirlpools, waves, and currents. If a vessel is moving against the river current, a swimmer can be pulled under it.
- Do not swim on inflatable objects. Swimming on them is dangerous, and for a person who cannot swim, it often ends tragically. Inflatable rings and mattresses are very light; even a slight wind or current is enough to carry them long distances. If you get distracted for a few minutes, the shore may be out of reach. Remember: an inflatable mattress is intended for relaxing on the shore, not for swimming!
And addressing parents, we remind you: wherever you are resting, remember that you must not leave children unattended for even a second!