The Ministry of Emergency Situations warns. A high level of drowning fatalities persists.
According to the operational data of OSVOD:
- from 01.01 to 06.28.2022, the number of drowning deaths was 174 people, including 10 children: (in the Brest region – 35, in the Vitebsk region – 26, including 2 children, in the Gomel region – 22, including 2 children, in the Grodno region – 18, in the Minsk region – 30, including 2 children, in the Mogilev region – 25, including 3 children, and in the city of Minsk – 18, including 1 child;
- since the beginning of the swimming season from 01.06 to 06.28.2022, the number of drowning deaths was 72 people, including 4 children: in the Brest region – 10, in the Vitebsk region – 12, including 1 child, in the Gomel region – 11, in the Grodno region – 8, in the Minsk region – 12, including 1 child, in the Mogilev region – 13, including 2 children, and in the city of Minsk – 6;
- over the past week from 06.20 to 06.26.2022, the number of drowning deaths was 14 people, including 1 child: in the Brest region – 2, in the Gomel region – 2, in the Grodno region – 2, in the Minsk region – 3, in the Mogilev region – 4, including 1 child, and in the city of Minsk – 1.
In connection with the start of the swimming season, the influx of vacationers to reservoirs has sharply increased, and accordingly, the number of accidents has increased. The vast majority of them are related to violations of safety rules on the water.
The main causes of death on reservoirs remain:
- swimming while intoxicated;
- leaving young children unattended;
- swimming in prohibited areas;
- non-compliance with personal safety measures.
Swimming while intoxicated
The main causes of unsuccessful, and sometimes
the causes of tragic accidents include carelessness of citizens and violation of water safety rules. In most cases, emergencies occur during alcohol consumption, swimming while intoxicated, and swimming in prohibited areas without 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.
Forbidden! Swimming in bodies of water while under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol further dilates blood vessels, and after immersion in cold water, a sharp spasm occurs. In open water, this can be life-threatening.
Riding on watercraft
Many citizens own various watercraft (boats, jet skis, motorboats, etc.), while others use rented ones. In any case, water recreation enthusiasts must remember that operating any watercraft requires strict adherence to safety rules during their use, the violation of which can lead to irreparable consequences:
Important! Everyone on board a watercraft must wear life jackets.
It is forbidden:
- to exceed the established number of people on board;
- to operate watercraft while under the influence of alcohol;
- for the operator of a watercraft to go beyond the buoy-marked areas designated for swimming;
- to jump into the water from a boat;
- to sit on the sides, move from place to place, and transfer to other motorboats or boats;
- to go out on the water in watercraft that are not designed for this purpose;
- to approach watercraft closely, as whirlpools, waves, and currents form near them: a swimmer can be pulled under them.
Attempts to swim across a body of water
Water safety is, above all, a necessity. People (even those who are good swimmers) swim into deep water and cannot return to shore. Some organize obstacle course competitions. However, not everyone can accurately assess their strength:
It is forbidden! To swim beyond the boundary markers and to swim away from the shore for significant distances while bathing, as well as to swim across a body of water without an urgent need (rescuing people).
Swimming and diving in unfamiliar, unequipped places
Many vacationers enjoy diving into the water from a height. It is deadly dangerous to jump into the water in unknown places. Here you can hit your head on the bottom, break your neck, 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, rocks, etc. underwater.
Important! Swim only at equipped beaches in areas marked by buoys or floats.
Forbidden! To jump or dive in unfamiliar places: from bridges, docks, piers, etc.
Inflatable mattresses, tubes
Very often, people use various inflatable items when relaxing by 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 weak wind and current are enough to carry them long distances. If you get distracted for a few minutes, the shore may be out of reach. A wave can swamp the mattress, or 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 may lose buoyancy at any moment.
Important! Any improvised inflatable means,may slip out of hands, deflate for any reason, and a person will end up in the water.
Forbidden! It is forbidden to use inflatable mattresses, circles, tubes, etc. for swimming, as they are not watercraft.
Teenagers unsupervised by water
We want to place special emphasis on the safety of teenagers near water bodies. They sometimes behave too carelessly, overconfidently, run and fool around near the water, not sensing any danger. Parents should understand that no matter how old the child is, whether a preschooler or a student, they should not be near the water without adult supervision. And it is the parents who are obliged to talk to their children about everything that can happen, warn them about the 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 well);
- choose an equipped beach, as there are lifeguards on duty there.
Child deaths in water bodies
We emphasize once again that the most important thing parents should remember is that children should not be near the water unsupervised. This is a rule that all adults must strictly follow. Unfortunately, young children left unsupervised often drown in water.
The danger, especially for a young child, is posed not only by large bodies of water, but also by decorative ponds, and even containers with water. Only parents who are aware of the possible dangers and take them seriously, no matter how rare and unlikely they may seem, can protect their child from trouble. When you are with children near water, you cannot lose vigilance for a 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 in this way can you be completely sure of their safety. If
you are not participating in games, ensure that 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 dangerous period for children. Therefore, do everything to protect your child from trouble. Try to make your vacation as safe as possible, be near your children and take care of them.