The sun, air and water are known to be our best friends. But water does not forgive mistakes if you treat it lightly, and it can take away the most precious thing – your life. Before going for a swim, holidaymakers should know the basic safety rules.
Dangers on the water
Before entering the water, make sure:
- there are no unnecessary objects under the water (stones, fragments of metal scrap, building structures, rubbish, algae);
- swim better where there are rescue services;
- if you are drunk, be careful, you may overestimate your force;
- choose a place for swimming that is far away from the route of watercraft traffic.
When bathing:
- after entering the water, stand still until your body adapts to the water temperature;
- it is better to swim in the morning or in the evening when the sun is warm, but there is no danger of overheating;
- swim in the water for no more than 20 minutes, and this time should be increased gradually, starting with 3-5 minutes;
- do not bring yourself to chills. In case of hypothermia, cramps may occur, breathing may stop, and fainting may occur;
- it is better to swim several times for 15-20 minutes, and play outdoor games during breaks: volleyball, badminton;
- if you are caught by the current, do not try to fight it, you should go with the flow, gradually approaching the shore;
- do not swim far from the shore or swim across water bodies on a dare;
- If you do not know how to swim, do not enter water above the waist;
- do not swim or dive in prohibited and dangerous places;
- when riding a boat, do not move from place to place, the boat may overturn;
- do not lose sight of your friends while swimming;
- attach a pin to your swimming trunks; if you have a cramp far from the shore, a pin prick will help restore muscle elasticity.
It is strictly forbidden for those who swim:
- to play the game with diving and grabbing hands and feet;
- dive into the water from dams, piers, yachts, boats, bridges and structures that are not adapted for this purpose and in places where the depth and condition of the bottom is unknown;
- swim close to ships underway;
- swim behind warning signs;
- swim on boards, logs, sunbeds, car tires, air mattresses (they can be carried away from the shore by wind or current);
- pollute and litter water bodies;
- drink alcohol and swim while intoxicated.
Do not go into the water in an unfamiliar place, avoid water with a fast current, do not go into the water while drunk, never swim alone, especially if you are not confident in your abilities; when swimming on a "wild beach" or in an unfamiliar place, do not dive from the shore, hill, tree; enter the water slowly, gently testing the bottom with your foot; it is better to swim where there are rescue services; especially watch out for children: Their behavior in the water is unpredictable; refrain from long swims: hypothermia is the main cause of tragic accidents. There are many pits and whirlpools on flat rivers. They are insidiously found near sand spits, under the bank, where children especially like to swim.
Peculiarities when swimming in mountain rivers. Mountain rivers have a swift current that can knock you down. The bottom and banks of such rivers are rocky, so you can get seriously injured if you fall. You can fall if you slip on a wet and slippery stone when you first enter the water.
At the sea, you should always be aware of waves that can overturn a person when entering the water. Do not try to swim against the wave. Be careful around water cuts. Do not dive off them, as you can fall – they are very slippery with algae. Do not swim behind the buoys! Diving in shallow water or in unfamiliar places can be very dangerous. In such cases, injuries to the cervical spine with spinal cord damage are possible.
Children should only bathe under the supervision of adults who are good swimmers. Children should learn to swim under the guidance of an instructor or parent.
