MES warns
The high level of drowning fatalities persists. Be vigilant while swimming. Consider safety issues when planning recreation near water. Do not leave children unattended.
According to OSVOD operational data for June 27, 2022, the number of drowning fatalities was 10 people, including 1 child: in Brest region – 1, in Vitebsk region – 1, in Grodno region – 2, in Minsk region – 4, including 1 child, and in Mogilev region – 2.
According to OSVOD operational data:
from 01.01 to 28.06.2022, the number of drowning fatalities was 174 people, including 10 children: (in Brest region – 35, in Vitebsk region – 26, including 2 children, in Gomel region – 22, including 2 children, in Grodno region – 18, in Minsk region – 30, including 2 children, Mogilev region – 25, including 3 children, and in Minsk city – 18, including 1 child;
since the beginning of the swimming season from 01.06 to 28.06.2022, the number of drowning fatalities was 72 people, including 4 children: in Brest region – 10, in Vitebsk region – 12, including 1 child, in Gomel region – 11, in Grodno region – 8, in Minsk region – 12, including 1 child, Mogilev region – 13, including 2 children, and in Minsk city – 6;
over the past week from 20.06 to 26.06.2022, the number of drowning fatalities was 14 people, including 1 child: in Brest region – 2, in Gomel region – 2, in Grodno region – 2, in Minsk region – 3, Mogilev region – 4, including 1 child, and in Minsk city – 1.
With the start of the swimming season, the influx of vacationers to water bodies has sharply increased, and accordingly, the number of accidents has increased. The overwhelming majority of them are associated with violations of safe behavior rules on the water.
The main causes of drowning fatalities remain:
swimming while intoxicated;
leaving young children unattended;
swimming in prohibited areas;
failure to observe personal safety measures.
Swimming while intoxicated
The main reasons for an unsuccessful, and sometimes tragic, vacation include the carelessness of citizens and the violation of water safety rules. In most cases, emergencies occur while drinking alcoholic beverages, swimming while intoxicated, and swimming in prohibited areas where there are no rescue stations. Alcohol consumption and recreation near water often lead to fatalities. Last year, the opening of the swimming season was not successful for everyone:
Important! An intoxicated person is unable to adequately assess the situation and may commit acts they would never commit while sober.
Prohibited! Swimming in water bodies while intoxicated. Alcohol further dilates blood vessels, and after immersion in cold water, a sharp spasm occurs. In open water conditions, this can be life-threatening.
Boating
Many citizens own various watercraft (boats, jet skis, motorboats, etc.), while others use rented ones. In any case, water recreation enthusiasts must remember that boating requires strict adherence to safety rules during their operation, the violation of which can lead to irreparable consequences:
Important! Everyone on board a watercraft must wear life jackets.
Prohibited:
exceeding the established number of people on board;
operating watercraft while intoxicated;
for the watercraft operator to go beyond the areas marked with buoys designated for swimming;
jumping into the water from a boat;
sitting on the sides, moving from place to place, and transferring to other motorboats or boats;
going out on the water in watercraft that are completely unsuitable for this purpose;
approaching watercraft too closely; whirlpools, waves, and currents arise near them: a swimmer can be pulled under them.
Attempts to swim across a body of water
Caution on the water is, first and foremost, a necessity. People (even those who swim well) swim to deep water and cannot return to shore. Some organize competitions to overcome obstacles. But not everyone can calculate their strength:
Prohibited! Swimming beyond restrictive signs and moving away from the shore for significant distances while swimming, as well as swimming across a body of water without urgent necessity (rescuing people).
Swimming and diving in unfamiliar, unequipped places
Many vacationers enjoy diving into the water from a height. It is mortally dangerous to jump into the water in unknown places. Here, one can hit their head on the bottom, break cervical vertebrae, lose consciousness, and die. It is equally dangerous to dive into the water from bridges, rafts, piers, dams, and other structures. There may be piles, stones, etc., underwater.
Important! Swim only on equipped beaches in an area enclosed by buoys or floats.
Prohibited! Jumping or diving in unfamiliar places: from bridges, quays, piers, etc.
Inflatable mattresses, tubes, etc.
Very often, people use various inflatable items when relaxing on the water. Swimming on them is dangerous, and for a person who cannot swim, it often ends tragically. Inflatable tubes and mattresses are very light; even a slight wind and current are enough to carry them long distances. Just a few minutes of distraction – and the shore is out of reach. A wave can wash over the mattress, it can slip out from under the swimmer and cover them completely. In addition, any inflatable item may have a hidden defect that is not always detected in time: air may escape from it, and it will lose buoyancy at any moment.
Important! Any improvised inflatable devices can slip out of hands, deflate for some reason, and the person will end up in the water.
Prohibited! Using inflatable mattresses, rings, tubes, and other inflatable items for swimming, as they are not watercraft.
Unsupervised teenagers near water
Special emphasis should be placed on the safety of teenagers near water bodies. They sometimes behave too carelessly, overconfidently, run and play near the water, feeling no danger. Parents must understand that no matter how old a child is, whether a preschooler or a student, they should not be near water without adult supervision. And it is parents who are obliged to talk to their children about everything that can happen, warn them of danger, and explain the consequences.
Important! Rules for parents:
do not let your child go to the beach alone;
do not lose sight of them when they are swimming (do not rely on the fact that the child is already grown up and swims perfectly);
choose an equipped beach, as lifeguards are on duty there.
Child drowning fatalities
Once again, we emphasize that the most important thing parents should remember is that children should not be near water unsupervised. This is a rule that all adults must strictly follow. Unfortunately, young children left unattended by adults often drown in the water.
Not only large bodies of water, but also decorative ponds, and even containers with water, pose a danger, especially for a small child. Only parents who are aware of possible dangers and take them seriously, no matter how rare and incredible they may seem, can protect their child from trouble. When with children near water, vigilance must not be lost for a single minute.
Important! Do not lose sight of children playing near water bodies. It is best if the child plays in the water with adults - only then can you be completely sure of their safety. If you are not participating in games, make sure the child is within your sight.
Dear parents! Summer is a wonderful time for relaxation, positive emotions, and vivid impressions. But it is also the most traumatic period for children. Therefore, do everything to protect your child from trouble. Try to make your vacation as safe as possible, be with your children, and protect them.
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