One of the main places people head to with the arrival of summer is the beaches. Although the hot weather increases the crowd at the beaches, the number of drowning incidents during this period also draws attention. Experts say that the majority of such cases occur due to negligence towards safety rules. So, what are the most common mistakes people make? What are the main reasons that increase the risk of drowning at the beach? Which rules should be followed for a safe holiday?
Elmar Nuraliyev, an expert on safety issues, who gave a statement to Medianews.az on the topic, said that safety measures at the sea should be taken seriously.
According to him, it is important to plan the visit to the beach. The proper selection of the beach and the weather conditions on that day must definitely be taken into account.
The expert noted that the "5 golden rules" must be strictly followed for safety at the beach: "First, it is forbidden to go to the beach in unfavorable weather conditions. Second, crossing the line that determines the swimming boundaries is prohibited. Third, entering the water under the influence of alcohol is not allowed. Fourth, going to uncontrolled beaches without rescue services is dangerous. Fifth, leaving children unattended is unacceptable."
E. Nuraliyev emphasized that adhering to these rules is sufficient for a safe, comfortable, and healthy rest: "By unfavorable weather conditions, we mean the dark hours of the day and wind speeds of 10-12 meters per second. In such cases, it is not advised to go to the beach. Additionally, unnecessary competitions are dangerous, and swimming parallel to the shore is recommended at sea.
Entering the water under the influence of alcohol is one of the main causes of drowning. Uncontrolled beaches without rescue services are usually areas not intended or forbidden for swimming.
Beaches under official supervision have rescue services active and these areas are considered safer. Before the beach season begins, relevant authorities inspect these areas, check the chemical and bacteriological indicators of the water, and also examine the seabed and the water area. Only then is permission given to use the beach."
Elmar Nuraliyev drew attention to the serious danger of leaving children unattended: "Sometimes parents are engaged in entertainment and rest, and the children remain unsupervised and by the time the incident is noticed, it is already too late.
Approximately 400,000 people drown worldwide every year. Statistics show that the majority of these cases occur precisely at unsupervised beaches. This again shows that unsupervised beaches are dangerous, while supervised beaches with active rescue services are considered safer."
He added in conclusion that in Azerbaijan, hundreds of people are saved from drowning each year by the Small Vessels Control and Rescue Service on Waters of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Moreover, no drowning incidents have been recorded so far on beaches supervised by this agency.
Oguz Ayvaz,
Medianews.az