REPORTAGE: Prevent the whirlpool of trouble. How rescuers work with lovers of wild recreation in Gomel

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The mercury column of the thermometer rushes to high marks. The June heat beckons adults and children to the shores of reservoirs. The territories of the official beaches of the southeastern region are reminiscent of the Black Sea in terms of the number of vacationers. Operational reports look no less hot and disturbing to all departments. Not a day goes by that the country is not recorded tragic cases on the water. People relax, forgetting about safety. So, in one of the weeks, water claimed the lives of 20 Belarusians. Rescuers of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and OSVOD, in order to protect vacationers from trouble, constantly conduct raids near water bodies. A BelTA correspondent joined one of them.

The main problem is lovers of rest on wild shores. From summer to summer, there are those who prefer restricted areas to activities, cleared waters and the safety of official beaches, where OSVOD employees are on duty. Such places are known by both the townspeople and the rescuers. And if the former are invariably attracted by such secluded places, then the latter hasten to protect from danger. To prevent the death of children and adults on the water, employees of the Gomel regional department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, together with OSVOD representatives, conduct raids on water bodies in Gomel and the region. Work is carried out from the shore and from the water. Arguments, examples, recommendations, leaflets and memos are used.

On a motorboat we move along the river water area. On the sandy beaches - dozens of sunbathers bask in the southern hot rays of the sun.

So, for a family vacation, dad with two children chose a patch in the Sozh inlet in the center of Gomel, although there is a well-maintained beach literally a hundred meters away. A car is parked nearby. Seeing the prophylactic rescue crew on the river, the parent hurried to retreat away from the water, leaving the kids to splash around.

The participants of the raid could not pass by the "situation". By the way, teaching adults about administrative responsibility is not an end in itself. "It is important to find the right words so that a person understands that the highest fine that can be is a disaster that has irreversible consequences. Of course, we explain everything and remind you of the rules of safety on the water, suggest official places of rest, although many of them are good know," Denis Kryuk, head of the propaganda center of the Gomel regional department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, notes.

Another stop is near the bushes near the water, where multi-colored panama hats flicker. This grandfather had a picnic by the water for his granddaughters. Rescuers remind the man about the safety rules and the inadmissibility of resting in this place. “Did you take a picture of me? I beg you, don’t post my photos anywhere - my wife will scold me, and it’s uncomfortable in front of the children,” the Gomel resident asks.

Wild, albeit very picturesque, the shores are not intended for recreation. And this is marked with special signs. However, for some lovers of natural beauty, a sign with the inscription "Swimming is prohibited" acts the other way around - it attracts like a beacon. In most cases, this desire is fueled not only by heat, but also by strong drinks. There are a lot of examples of the death of those who, after drinking alcohol, the sea becomes knee-deep.

People in uniform are frequent visitors to the beaches. During the raids, employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, OSVOD, and the police patiently bring important information that vacationers know, but ignore. In an explanatory conversation, they remind the rules of safety on the water. Separately, everyone - their own arguments for adults, adolescents and children - are reminded that it is necessary to swim only in specially designated places.

Children on the water are a task of particular complexity. “We constantly urge parents to take care of the safety of their children, not to leave them unattended for a minute, to stop pranks on the water and constantly monitor their leisure time. We also hand out water safety reminders to vacationers. This is the minimum that can save more than one life. Everyone should understand that it is much easier to prevent misfortune on the water than to eliminate an emergency,” emphasizes Denis Kryuk.

The most common accidents are swimming while intoxicated and swimming in prohibited areas. Often these are concomitant reasons.

The risk, especially for those who cannot swim, is also added by water equipment: air mattresses, cameras, boards. Even a weak breeze can blow them away from the shore. Another thing is full equipment, including when boating, catamarans, jet skis.

Girls on boards swim past: in life jackets, caps protect from the scorching sun. There are no questions for such vacationers.

Such fun as overcoming the forbidden, as well as testing one's own abilities, does not become obsolete. Often in dispute. Rescuers warn: a long swim is fraught with hypothermia, muscle fatigue, convulsions and even death.

So, in the early morning of June 13, a disaster almost occurred on the Pripyat River in Mozyr. A passer-by reported to the rescue service that a man was drowning in the river in the city. As it turned out later, the 20-year-old guy was relaxing in the company on the city beach. He argued that he would swim to the other side of the river, but he did not calculate his strength and did not take into account the strong current, he began to sink. OSVOD workers saved the young man.

"Swim only in specially designated areas, on equipped beaches, where in case of an emergency you can get specialized help from a lifeguard. An untested body of water - whirlpools, deep holes, thick algae, cold springs, snags, strong currents, a cluttered bottom - can lead to injury diving - to death, "explains the head of the propaganda center of the Gomel regional department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

One of the dangers even in shallow water is the possible hypothermia of the body, due to which irreversible processes begin and a person can die, even if the water is conditionally knee-deep. "It is recommended to swim at a water temperature of at least 18 degrees Celsius, and air - 20 degrees with a plus sign. You can swim in a row no more than 3-5 times for 10-15 minutes. You should not swim after eating earlier than after 1.5-2 hours. Bathing children - exclusively under the supervision of adults! ", - emphasizes Denis Kryuk.

As long as the weather is hot, the raids will continue. Volunteers are involved in this work, rescue student teams of the Belarusian Republican Youth Union are working. Rescuers of UMChS do not tire of reminding: non-compliance with the rules of behavior on the water can lead to tragic consequences. After all, water does not forgive mistakes. Swim where it is safe - this is the main law of water recreation.

BelTA,

Photo UMChS.