Water safety

Безопасность на водоемах

A large number of people die annually in water bodies in Belarus. As of August 09, 2023, 56 people have died in water bodies of the Vitebsk region, including 3 minors. 13 people have been rescued.

With the arrival of the long-awaited summer, hundreds of people flock to water bodies for recreation. Water is a good friend and ally of man, helping to get the most pleasure from recreation and improve health. But, at the same time, water is a source of increased danger.

If we conditionally divide the cases of death and injury of people on water into categories, we can identify several of the most common ones:

  • - fishermen;
  • - intoxicated swimmers;
  • - overconfidence, overestimation of one's abilities;
  • - swimming near river transport;
  • - swimming in prohibited or unequipped areas.




As you can see, water recreation requires mandatory adherence to safety rules:

  • swimming should only be done at equipped beaches where there are all means for rescue and first aid.
  • you should not swim in marshy areas and where there is silt and algae. It is best to choose water bodies with sandy or pebble bottoms.
  • do not swim beyond the buoys - the chances of rescue sharply decrease if a person is far from the shore.
  • it is strictly forbidden to swim in water bodies while intoxicated. Alcohol dilates blood vessels, and after immersion in cold water, a sharp spasm occurs. In open water, this can cost a life.
  • it is forbidden to swim close to vessels - when they approach, the water level rises sharply. In addition, there are known cases of swimmers being pulled under the bottom of a motor ship.
  • jumping into the water from boats, motorboats, piers, and other objects not adapted for these purposes is prohibited.
  • not
it is advisable to swim in reservoirs if the water temperature is below +15 degrees Celsius. Swimming during storms or in places with strong surf is also prohibited.

          Children and water are a special topic for discussion. Water poses a danger not only to infants but also to older children and schoolchildren.                          

          Dear Parents! Summer is a wonderful time for rest, positive emotions, and vivid impressions. But it is also the most dangerous period for children. Therefore, do everything you can to protect your child from trouble. Try to make your vacation as safe as possible, stay close to your children, and take care of them!