Save people's lives on the region's reservoirs

For many years, the issue of ensuring the safety of citizens on water bodies has remained relevant in the Republic of Belarus, including in the Vitebsk region.

The fundamental document defining the procedure for organizing the protection of human life on waters and the conditions for using water bodies in the Republic of Belarus are the Rules for the Protection of Human Life on Waters of the Republic of Belarus, approved by Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus No. 1623 dated December 11, 2009.

According to the specified regulatory legal act, the protection of human life on waters is carried out by rescue stations and posts – by providing assistance to those in distress on the water. By executive committees and organizations of the republican state public association "Belarusian Republican Society for the Rescue of People on Waters" (abbreviation - OSVOD) – through the organization and conduct of explanatory work among the population, as well as other measures.

Approximately 30% of the total area of all water bodies in the republic is located in the Vitebsk region, which indicates the need for conducting

complex work by local authorities, the Vitebsk regional organization of OSVOD, and citizens themselves to prevent deaths on water.

Thus, law enforcement agencies, local authorities, and the Vitebsk regional organization of OSVOD have done significant work aimed at preventing accidents on water.

And there are quite a few such events. In particular, when a beach is opened, the local executive and administrative body issues a technical passport for the beach and its water area in the form determined by OSVOD.

These and other preventive measures have contributed to a positive trend of decreasing deaths on water bodies in the Vitebsk region in recent times.

For example, in 9 months of 2015, 75 people died in the region's water bodies, while in the same period of 2014, 115 people died. At the same time, this year there is a negative situation with a slight increase in the number of deceased minors on water bodies in the region, despite an overall decrease in the number of deaths. Thus, in 9 months of 2015, 6 children died, and in the same period last year – 5.

In addition, OSVOD rescuers saved 59 people during the above-mentioned period, including 23 minors. A significant number of people (856, including 323 minors) were warned about the inadmissibility of violating water safety rules.

In most cases, the deaths of citizens on the water bodies of the Vitebsk region were facilitated by

by themselves of the safety measures established by the Rules for the Protection of Human Life on Waters of the Republic of Belarus, including being in a state of alcoholic intoxication.

Thus, the problem of drowning victims in a state of alcoholic intoxication remains year after year. For example, over 9 months of the current year: 16 out of 21 people drowned while swimming in a state of alcoholic intoxication; during fishing from a boat, 8 out of 13 drowned were intoxicated, and during fishing from the shore, 3 out of 8 people died due to alcohol; one person in a state of alcoholic intoxication died while taking a bath.

Anyone who approaches a body of water in a state of alcoholic intoxication must realize that swimming in this condition can be fatal for them.

Given the onset of the winter period, compliance with safety measures on ice also becomes relevant.

Thus, going out on the ice is prohibited during the ice formation period until the ice thickness reaches 7 centimeters, as well as during the period of intensive melting and destruction of ice.

Crossing bodies of water on ice should be done at designated crossing points. In their absence, before starting to move on the ice, it is necessary to ensure its strength. The strength of the ice is checked with an ice pick (a small ice chisel for making ice holes) or a pole. If the ice breaks through after the first strike and water appears on it, one should immediately stop and move back along one's own tracks, taking the first steps without lifting the soles off the ice. Checking the strength of the ice by stamping with feet is prohibited.

When moving on the ice, one should be careful, carefully monitoring itssurface, avoid dangerous and suspicious areas: stream inflows, groundwater and spring outlets, industrial and wastewater discharges, frozen sedge bushes, grass, ice cracks. It is not recommended to go out on the ice during a snowstorm and in the dark.

When crossing ice in a group, move at a distance of 5-6 meters from each other, carefully watching the person ahead.

Ice skating is allowed only in specially equipped rinks. The setup of rinks on water bodies (rivers, lakes, reservoirs, ponds) is permitted in shallow areas, in places without fast currents, after thorough checking of ice strength and thickness (at least 10-12 centimeters). Mass skating is allowed when the ice thickness is at least 25 centimeters.

During ice fishing, it is not recommended to drill many holes close to each other, jump and run on the ice, or gather in large groups. Each fisherman going ice fishing should have a life jacket and a rope 15-20 meters long with a loop at one end and a weight of 400-500 grams at the other. If you fall through the ice, act quickly and decisively: throw the rope attached to your belt towards the shore and try to get out onto strong ice without sudden movements, then, lying on your stomach or back, move towards the shore, calling for help.

When assisting someone who has fallen through the ice, provide them with ladders, boards, poles, ropes, and other improvised means. Approach them by crawling, preferably leaning on objects that increase the support area. If there are two or more rescuers, it is best to form a chain, holding each other by the legs.

In addition to all of the above, I would like to draw the attention of the heads of all educational institutions in the region, from preschool educational institutions to universities, to the fact that every preschooler, student, and university student must be familiar with the specified Rules. If possible, students should be provided with swimming training, and instruction on how to assist persons who have fallen through the ice and are drowning, which will subsequently save the lives of many representatives of the younger generation.