"They don't drown because they can't swim." What is important to know about relaxing by the water

In early June, the weather in Belarus did not please beach lovers with heat. But all summer ahead. Representatives of the Ministry of Emergency Situations , OSVOD, the State Traffic Inspectorate, the police, the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Traumatology and Orthopedics spoke about how the services prepared for the swimming season at a visiting press conference . The meeting was held on the landscaped shore of the Tsnyansky reservoir in MINSK and at the Diving and Rescue Service Center, where they presented the equipment, gear and equipment used by rescue divers, showed the algorithm for rescuing drowning people. Experts are sure that if the elementary rules of safe behavior on water bodies are observed, most tragedies can be avoided.

Как рассказал начальник отдела водолазно-спасательной службы ОСВОД Дмитрий Барановский, с начала года в республике, по оперативным данным, утонули 145 человек, в том числе четверо несовершеннолетних, спасены 74, из них пять - дети. Речь идет об утонувших на рыбалке, при падении в воду, принятии ванны. "К сожалению, не удалось избежать и смертей при купании. Основной причиной стало нарушение личных мер безопасности. Усугубляющий фактор - состояние алкогольного опьянения", - отметил он.

A few numbers: in total there are 385 official beaches in the republic, 177 have fenced places for bathing children. The life of people on the waters is protected by 68 OSVOD rescue stations and 211 rescue posts. Their number is increasing - decisions are made jointly with local authorities, which determine where such facilities are needed based on the popularity of water bodies. About 800 seasonal lifeguards are on duty during the swimming season, in addition to the staff of the rescue posts, who work all year round. During the period of large-scale festivals such as Viva Braslav, "Alexandria Gathers Friends", "Slavianski Bazaar", the service is organized in an enhanced mode.

Дмитрий Барановский отметил: когда человек чувствует, что его покидают силы, надо расслабиться, набрать в легкие воздуха, лечь на спину и попробовать отдохнуть, грести в сторону берега. В случае риска утонуть необходимо позвать на помощь - если такое случается в зоне действия спасательных станций, она будет оказана незамедлительно.

Для того, кто собирается спасать утопающего, важно оценить свои возможности и состояние потерпевшего. Есть разные способы, как правильно вытаскивать из воды спасаемого. С ними можно ознакомиться в интернете или пройти специальную подготовку, которую проводят на спасательных станциях. При доставке на берег пострадавшему оказывается первая медицинская помощь, выполняется сердечно-легочная реанимация.

Experts emphasize: the main thing is to maintain self-control. A person drowns not because he cannot swim, but because he cannot cope with a difficult situation. It's important to calm down. Getting into the current, you can not fight with it, but you have to swim diagonally to the shore. With convulsions, it is recommended to change the way of swimming. With a reduced calf muscle, you need to pull the sock towards you, with cramps in the thigh - bend the leg at the knee, when the problem is in the abdominal muscles - bend your knees to your chest.

The HEAD of the neurosurgical department No. 1, a neurosurgeon of the highest category of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Traumatology and Orthopedics, Kirill Pustovoitov drew attention to the danger of diving in shallow water. Every summer, on average, about 250 people in Belarus get injuries of the cervical spine, about half of them with spinal cord injuries.

"Many, especially those who are ableALCOHOL intoxication , they like to show prowess. When diving, always remember:alcohol is never a friend. If you want to dive, then it is worth doing in proven places. Unfortunately, an injury to the cervical spine makes a person disabled for life - neither surgical nor any other methods can restore the spinal cord," the physician informed.

This year, about a dozen people have already suffered - there were cases in the Brest and Gomel regions, where it is warmer. "Fortunately, there are fewer such patients, which is due to the weather. The water has not yet warmed up in the reservoirs. I think, as in previous years, we should expect an increase in these types of injuries," Kirill Pustovoitov added.

First aid in case of suspected injury: call an ambulance, pull a person out of the water and immobilize the cervical spine with something soft (jacket, sweater), check the conduction of the airways. “You don’t need to take the victim to the hospital and take medical actions on your own. Professionals should work,” Kirill Pustovoitov said.

According to the official representative of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Yevgeny Baranovsky, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, together with other departments, is taking measures to prevent the death of people on the waters. Raids are carried out on the beaches, citizens are informed about the rules for safe swimming. Unsanctioned resting places have also been taken under control - there are about 3 thousand of them in the republic. Monitoring is being carried out, including the fire situation.

The representative of the Ministry of Emergency Situations also drew attention to the increasing number of incidents with small boats, reminded the owners of the need to register vehicles, and observe safety rules. In cases of death during the capsizing of the boat, people were without life jackets.

“During the field press conference, they showed the contribution of the state to security. This includes the improvement of beaches, the development of rescue posts, and the technical equipment that our rescue divers are armed with,” said Yevgeny Baranovsky.

In the capital, 20 beaches on four reservoirs - Tsnyanskoye, Drozdy, Zaslavskoye and Krinitsa - are serviced by the Minsk forestry. They are well-equipped: there are shady awnings, sunbeds, gazebos, locker rooms, benches, fitness equipment, and children's playground equipment.

“The coastline has been backfilled with first-class sand, current repairs of access roads, parking lots, bike paths have been completed,” said Marina Makarova, head of the service for the maintenance of urban forests, beaches and the Moscow Ring Road of the Minsk forestry park. “There are seasonal trade and rental points.”

This year, a shield with rescue equipment was installed in each recreation area. There are 8 rescue stations and 11 seasonal rescue posts. By the swimming season, additional monitoring of bathing places was carried out, information stands were installed, water areas were surveyed. Recreation areas are being equipped with video monitoring and sound alerts, which allows you to quickly respond to incidents. On weekends, doctors are on duty at some beaches.

The protection of public order is provided by employees of the territorial Internal Affairs Directorate, OMON GUVD. In crowded places, surveillance is organized using a quadrocopter. Mikhail Tkachev, Acting First Deputy Head of the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Soviet District Administration of Minsk, called on vacationers to be vigilant. In particular, the theft of valuable things happened at the Tsnyansky reservoir. He also recalled the administrative responsibility for swimming in unspecified places and drinking alcoholic, low-alcohol drinks, beer, being intoxicated in public places.

Road safety in coastal areas is provided by traffic police officers. According to Denis Livanovich, Acting Head of the State Traffic Inspectorate of the Main Internal Affairs Directorate of the Minsk City Executive Committee, the most frequent violations are driving to a zone where traffic is limited, and stopping-parking where it is not allowed: on sidewalks, a green zone, pedestrian crossings and near them, at intersections. He asked citizens not to remain indifferent and report traffic violations by phone or in the chat bot of the Minsk police. Also, a recommendation is to come by public transport or by bicycle, scooter to the beaches within the city, where it is impossible to organize parking spaces according to peak demand.

"Within each zone, work has been carried out to eliminate comments and shortcomings in infrastructure. Including, small architectural forms are being installed where the passage of vehicles was not excluded. We analyze and make adjustments to the organization of traffic in cooperation with the administrations of the districts. Feedback from vacationers is important" - said Denis Livanovich.

With the onset of the summer season, people tend to spend time on the beach and on the banks of the river. We must not forget about the danger posed by water. It is important to know how to protect yourself and loved ones while swimming.

Nadezhda MATVEEVA,

photo by Nadezhda ANDREICHIK,

BELTA.