Comfortable water temperature in the sea for bathing children, adults and pregnant women. Dangerous swimming spots in Cyprus

Every year in the world there are accidents with tourists on vacation. Wrong behavior on the water, abuse of alcoholic beverages, ignorance of elementary safety standards leads to disastrous consequences.

Popular with Russian tourists is exotic vacation where you can get acquainted with the diverse animal world warm seas. For example, in Egypt, as an excursion, it was proposed to go scuba diving in the open sea, where vacationers could take pictures of beautiful fish and touch them with their hands. However, no one warned that almost half of them are poisonous and pose a danger to humans up to death.

Due to the deterioration environmental situation all over the world, large predators in search of prey migrate to places that are unusual for their habitat, swim close to the coast. For example, in 2011, a record number of shark attacks on people around the world were recorded. In Primorye, where sharks have never swam to the shore before and did not show aggression, there have been several such cases. Also in 2015, sharks attacked tourists on the most popular resorts Egypt. Therefore, before traveling sea ​​vacation it is important to know the simple safety rules when swimming in the sea.

Basic safety rules at sea

1. Before going on a sea holiday, study the inhabitants that pose a danger to humans.
2. While in the water, do not touch the marine life with your hands.
3. Do not swim in the sea at night or at dawn, or alone.
4. Avoid swimming in poor visibility and murky water.
5. Carefully look under your feet when entering the sea.
6. Wear special shoes near coral reefs.
7. It is not recommended to swim during a strong wind and after a storm, as many jellyfish wash ashore.
8. Choose low-key swimwear and swim trunks to avoid attracting the attention of sharks and other dangerous fish.
9. Do not swim further than 10 meters from the shore.
10. Pay attention to the badges and flags on the beach. The color of the flag can signal danger.

Let us analyze in more detail the main marine inhabitants that pose a danger to humans.

Jellyfish

Jellyfish have special stinging cells with poison on their bodies, which can cause severe burns. As a rule, they are in a fringe that hangs under the dome. Many jellyfish living in the Russian seas are absolutely harmless, and touching them will hardly cause a burn.

Very often you can observe how children play with jellyfish, throw them at each other. However, among a large number of harmless jellyfish, a dangerous jellyfish that accidentally swam after a strong wind or storm can be caught. Therefore, it is worthwhile to prepare your family members in advance for the fact that you cannot take jellyfish in your hands.

Jellyfish habitat: warm waters of the Mediterranean, Aegean, Black, Caspian, Azov, Red Seas, Indian Ocean, Amur Bay (Vladivostok).

Especially dangerous jellyfish:

Tunisia (Mediterranean Sea) - black jellyfish, Canary Islands - Portuguese boat

The coast of the Black, Caspian and Azov seas - jellyfish cornerot

Precautionary measures:

• plan ahead and select safe seasons (for example, during the rainy season in Asian countries the number of jellyfish near the coast increases, August and September is the season of jellyfish in Tunisia),
• do not swim in the sea immediately after the storm, do not touch the jellyfish with your hands.

In case of defeat:

• do not wash the wound (burn site) with sea or fresh water - this can lead to an even greater spread of poison.
• It is necessary to lubricate the skin with vinegar solution or alcohol, remove the remnants of the jellyfish from the skin, treat the wound with a wound healing ointment, and also take antihistamines.

sea ​​urchins

Sea urchins can be found in the warm sea on a sandy bottom, on stones, sheer cliffs in the sea or on coral reefs. They often form large concentrations on sloping rocky surfaces near the shore, can be found on metal stairs when descending into the water, grow on piers and bridges. Unlike other inhabitants of the sea, hedgehog needles do not contain poison. However, his injection is very painful and can take quite a long time. There is also a high risk of wound suppuration or tightening with the remaining needles inside.

Sea urchin habitat: warm waters of the Mediterranean, Aegean, Red Seas, Amur Bay (Vladivostok), Indian Ocean.

Particularly dangerous:

Sea urchin diadem , upon contact with which paralysis may occur.

Precautionary measures:

• be careful when entering the water, where there are accumulations of stones,
• Do not swim in muddy water or at night.

In case of defeat:

• If the needle of the sea urchin has got into the leg, then it is necessary to contact a medical institution as soon as possible.
• If this is not nearby, then you can try to remove the needle yourself, after holding the affected area in hot water and treated with alcohol.
• In Greece, the spines of a sea urchin are pulled out as follows: they lubricate the wound with olive oil and squeeze out the spines.

Octopuses

The word "octopus" or "octopus" has been a metaphor for almost 200 years, denoting something dangerous and frightening. In fiction, cases of attacks by huge three-meter octopuses on people have been described at times. In fact, there are only a few really confirmed such cases.

Huge octopuses, described in the novels of Victor Hugo, live on great depth and they themselves do not attack people, but rather hide from them. Meetings with such octopuses of divers in the holds of sunken ships or in underwater caves are known. Therefore, if you decide to scuba dive, avoid such places.

Small octopuses that live in the Red or Mediterranean Sea, as well as in Indian Ocean, are dangerous only if you take a marine animal in your hands. The octopus has jaws similar to the beak of a parrot, which, when bitten, release poison that can cause paralysis and suffocation.

Octopus Habitat: Mediterranean, Aegean, Red Sea, Amur Bay (Vladivostok), Indian Ocean.

Particularly dangerous:

blue ringed octopus - lives in Japan and Australia and causes severe paralysis of the whole body.

Precautionary measures:

• do not pick up octopuses,
• do not swim in underwater caves and grottoes.
• If you are scuba diving, then be sure to have a sharp knife with you so that in case of an attack by an octopus, you can cut its dexterous tentacles.

In case of defeat: since the bite of an octopus can cause paralysis and suffocation, you need to urgently call for help and call an ambulance. Experienced fishermen recommend urinating on the site of the bite, so the poison can be neutralized.

sharks

Until recently Russian seas were considered practically safe in terms of the likelihood of shark attacks on people. However, in 2011, white sharks began to attack divers near Vladivostok, 10 meters from the shore. In 2016, as well as in May 2017, sharks dangerous to humans were also seen in these areas.

Shark Habitat: Black, Azov and Caspian Sea due to desalinated water and pollution, they are considered the safest. Mediterranean Sea(resorts of Greece, Turkey, Italy, Croatia, Cyprus, France) - over the past 100 years, 21 fatal attacks have been recorded. The most likely inhabitants are the tiger shark, mako shark, hammerhead shark and gray reef shark.

Red Sea (Egypt, Israel): about 30 species of sharks live, some of them come close to the shore. Attacks by especially dangerous white and tiger sharks are possible.

Indian Ocean: most of the attacks were registered near the coast of Australia and Africa, South Africa (Cosi Bay). Dangerous to humans like gray, tiger and great white sharks live here.

Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean: beaches near California, Florida and Hawaiian Islands considered the most dangerous the largest number sharks

Particularly dangerous:

Big White shark (cannibal shark) - one of the large and dangerous predators, reaches five meters in length. It lives in all seas and oceans, including Primorye and Sakhalin.

Mako shark (grey-blue shark) - the fastest and most aggressive shark in the world. It lives in almost all seas, including eastern region our country in the summer (with the exception of the Black, Azov and Caspian). Numerous cases of attacks by this shark on people standing on the shore or on the pier have been recorded.

Blue shark (blue shark) - Few cases of attacks on people are known. It lives in all seas and oceans, including Kamchatka.

Tiger shark - one of the most dangerous species of sharks for humans. In 2011, 169 cases of attacks by this shark on people were registered, 29 of which were fatal. It lives in tropical and subtropical waters (Red Sea, India, Australia, North and South America).

Precautionary measures: The main reason for shark attacks on people is the shark's poor eyesight, it mistakes a floundering person for a fish. Often vacationers themselves provoke a shark and swim closer to it. They even came up with this for tourists dangerous entertainment like swimming with sharks. Those who choose this way of “resting” forget that sharks are predators, and they can react to bright swimwear, jewelry, as well as fresh wounds or cuts on the body, as they can feel blood at great distances.

Do not swim alone, especially near fish schools, fur seals, dolphins. Sharks love loners and most often attack solo divers. For security purposes, modern repellers and repellents have been created as a means of protection against sharks.

In case of meeting and defeat:

• If you are swimming and see a shark in the water, do not tease it, but catch a wave and try to get ashore.
• Sharks even attack a person in a boat (for example, a mako shark), so if you are in a boat and a shark swims at you with the intention of attacking, you need to hit it with an oar on the nose and immediately swim to the shore. This will scare away the shark and buy time.
• Try to overcome panic and fear: the shark feels fear, this can provoke an attack.
• When meeting with a shark, you need to swim away slowly, slowly and without floundering in the water, but you should not pretend to be dead, since this method does not work with sharks.
• Just because a shark just swims by doesn't mean it wants to attack.
• A possible attack by a shark is indicated by the fact that it went straight towards you or describes circles around you.
• As a rule, the shark attacks in one sharp movement, at this moment you can strike back at its nose, eyes and gills.
• The blows must be applied quickly and many times, everything that is in the hands will come in handy. For example, a camera, a mask, fins, a stick, a stone.
• If there is a large stone nearby, you can snuggle up to it. So you reduce the angle of attack of the shark.
• If the shark attacked and swam away, then you need to call for help as soon as possible and get ashore - the predator can return.

Sea fish

The most dangerous and poisonous marine fish live in the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, where tourists are offered to go scuba diving and watch the beautiful undersea world. However, it is worth remembering that no matter how beautiful the fish are, you cannot touch them.

The most dangerous and poisonous fish of the seas and oceans

Spiny arotron (relative of the deadly Fugue fish) - secretes a powerful poison — tetrodotoxin, can cause death. Lives in the Red Sea, Indian Ocean.

Lionfish (Lionfish) — This beautiful fish has needles in its fins that emit poison that causes severe pain and paralysis, which can cause death. Found in the Red Sea, Indian Ocean.

Scorpion, sea ruff - injections of sea ruff cause very severe pain. Lives in the waters mediterranean sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

Stingray - a stingray thorn that can be stepped on contains poison. A thorn prick is extremely painful and dangerous, it can even cause death. It lives in the Mediterranean Sea, as well as in the Black and Azov.

Some exotic lovers, oddly enough, prefer to swim in dirty water. There are people who purposefully search the Internet for this kind of "entertainment". And in the Kuban in full swing velvet season"dirty" tourism is gaining popularity. Many vacationers preferred the traditional rest on the beach and sea baths last summer extreme swimming in the lakes of mud volcanoes. By inheritance, the local Cossacks are engaged in "dirty" business. But still, fortunately, such originals are in a clear minority. Most of our compatriots, when planning to go to the coast, ask themselves the question - which sea should they go to in search of the most environmentally friendly sea bathing (meaning popular tourist routes)? Oceanologist Nikita Kucheruk, candidate of biological sciences, compiled "hygienic" rating of the seas, with which I invite you to familiarize yourself.
1. Seychelles and Caribbean Islands. Secluded islands far from civilization - the best place for swimming. The water is perfectly clear. Near these islands, the sea is very warm all year round, and there is very little food for marine life. So if in these heavenly blue waters and some product of human activity (household, oil pollution) gets in, marine flora and fauna take these emissions as a pleasant addition to breakfast and sweep them away in an instant. Strong ocean currents near the islands help to restore the ecological balance;
2.Portuguese coast and the Dead Sea. The Atlantic coast of Portugal is slightly inferior to the secluded islands. A low-waste industry, a deep bottom, and besides, the ocean - it is much more difficult to litter it than the sea. Along Portugal, the Gulf Stream purifies the water. But in the ocean it is not always safe to make long swims, that is, it simply depends on the relief of the coastline. If there are reefs nearby and the depth of water near the coast changes dramatically, a strong undercurrent begins at high tide and the bather can be carried away into open ocean. What's up Dead Sea, then it is also very clean there, but there is no question of any marine flora and fauna: the sea is so salty that no one lives there, no flowers, no fish, no algae. Yes, and swim humanly will not succeed. True, the benefits of it, as we have already written, are immeasurable: here they treat not only the skin, but also rheumatism and depression.
3. Resorts of the Indonesian archipelago (Bali, Malaysia), Singapore, Australia. The honorable second place with the Portuguese coast in our ranking is practically shared by the beaches of Indonesia. The tropical seas are very warm, and just like in the Seychelles, there is little food for marine life - so if some industrial waste gets into the water, the living creature quickly eats everything up. And at the same time, marine life is the only source of trouble. Communication with a jellyfish nicknamed the Sea Wasp with 5-6-meter transparent tentacles saturated with nerve poison will end at least in a burn. Hated by snorkellers, sea urchins are found in great abundance. For example, it’s better to stay away from the crazy handsome man nicknamed “diadem” - our expert oceanologist had personal contact with the “tiara” and shared his impressions: “It’s like after shelling.” We must also be careful with coral reefs: if you touch the “fiery” coral, at best, there will be a burn (as after falling into a thicket of young nettles). On the beach, you can stumble upon a large cone-shaped shell of heavenly beauty, in which a mollusk lives - the owner of a deadly proboscis, with which he kills fish. The man, of course, is also not good. So everything bright and beautiful is best observed from afar.
4. Eastern Mediterranean. A great place for lovers of ecological bathing and the freshest seafood: the sea there almost did not suffer from the costs of civilization. The Cretans and Greek beaches, as well as the Mediterranean beaches of Israel and Turkey, the cleanest and "live" sea in the entire Mediterranean. There is no industry around great depths. The trouble that the sea cannot cope with even in these areas is the often found plastic bags that do not decompose at all: the water is clear and they are clearly visible
5. mediterranean coast Egypt. It would not have received a pass to our top five if the Nile had not actually stopped flowing into the Mediterranean Sea. About ten years ago, the water hyacinth plant got into the river, which quickly multiplied, and the Nile blossomed. But this life-loving plant turned out to be from humid Florida, so it evaporates a lot of liquid, and in dry Egypt, water hyacinth, a bastard, evaporates all the rest river water in large volumes, and the rest of the water is used for irrigation of fields and practically does not reach the sea - which is good, because if it did, then with fertilizers. Thanks to this environmental trouble, the sea has become cleaner, and the water hyacinth is alive and well and even adapted to the herbicide attacks of the Egyptian authorities.
6.Aegean and Red Seas. The Aegean Sea is relatively prosperous - due to the fact that the ratio of the catchment area (the entire area on land from where water is collected that flows into the sea) to the sea area is very favorable - 1: 1, which means that the proportion of industrial discharges is moderately modest. Swimming off the coast of Greece does not overshadow any plankton, and freshly caught fish is very good.
Turkish coast Aegean Sea is becoming more and more problematic: sewage off the coast from Izmir to Istanbul is increasingly causing "red" tides. Layers of water rich in phosphorus and nitrogen rise from the depths of the ocean, which is why toxic (for both people and fish) microflora begins to multiply rapidly - the sea near the coast becomes brown-red. Tourists are not allowed to swim or eat seafood at this time, given the experience of local fishermen and bathers: due to swimming in the sea during red tides, they lose a total of 10,000 working days a year, according to Greenpeace. Despite the proximity of the Suez Canal, through which oil tankers travel, the Red Sea quickly "digests" pollution, like any tropical sea, where there are many "hungry" algae, fish and other inhabitants and little food. Oddly enough, an oil slick for the ecosystem of the tropical sea is also revered as a good snack. For example, after an oil spill during the US military Operation Desert Storm, the sea recovered in a matter of months (for comparison: northern seas recover after such a shock for five to seven years). And the caution about brightly colored fish and jellyfish still stands: don't grab them by the fins and tentacles. Moray eels (a type of eel) that hide in rocks bite like young bulldogs.
7.Mediterranean beaches of France, Spain and Italy. The Mediterranean Sea, of course, can digest everything. Although France, Italy and Spain are the source of three-quarters of the industrial and agricultural pollution that enters the Mediterranean. But soon the forces of self-regulation by the sea will be exhausted: Greenpeace is already sounding the alarm - each of the ten beaches in the section from Cannes to Capri does not comply with European Union standards. Not to mention the sad facts: last year, dolphins were thrown onto this part of the coast, and because of the ubiquitous tourists, the populations of animals living on the beaches, the Mediterranean tortoise and the seal, decreased by two or three times. And by the way, Lately local wildlife cope with alien sea ​​plants getting worse. For example, off the coast of the French Riviera and Italy (from Toulon to the Italian town of Imperia), the marine weed Caulerpa taxifolia (a native of the tropics) began to multiply at a gigantic rate due to sea pollution with sewage. This weed releases a toxin that kills deep sea algae. In general, you will not be poisoned by seafood in these areas, but still do not eat a lot of them: they contain somewhat exceeded standards for mercury and heavy metals.
8. Adriatic Sea, coast of Tunisia and California. In the waters of the northern Adriatic and near the beaches of Tunisia, chlorophyll is more than normal - when the water temperature rises above 25-26 degrees, the sea may bloom. Along the coastline in these areas, water exchange is not intensive, industrial emissions linger longer. This is precisely the effect of the “annular current” that exists in any enclosed sea: the current along the shelf (sloping coastal part, just where the beaches are) drags with it all possible pollution and does not allow them to mix with the deep layers of the sea. The Adriatic Sea is in a difficult position - along with the waters of the Po River, waste from the turbulent Italian industry enters it: in the late 90s, the volume of discharges became ten times more than half a century ago. So do not choose the closed bays and lagoons of Trieste and Venice for swimming (you will probably be impressed by the fact that tons of algae are caught annually from the Venetian lagoon so that they do not exude unpleasant odors). In California, the transparency and smell of water is much better. Why, then, is the famous Sunset Beach not among the leaders of our rating? Due to the increasing "red" tides, during which the famous California oyster farms have to close.
9.Baltic Sea. Unfortunately, swimming there is not very pleasant - dirty. Baltic fish is also not best quality. And it's not even about the Russian attitude to the environment. Our legislation is quite strict (treatment facilities in big cities stand comparison with Europe, and often not in favor of the latter). Guilty geographical position Baltic Sea: it is surrounded by industrial developed countries(Norway, Sweden, the Baltic countries), oil tankers go along it. In addition, due to the low temperature of the water, it slowly recuperates after pollution.
10. Black Sea. Despite its inherent romantic halo of "the bluest in the world", it trails behind in our ranking. And it seems that it is hopeless: it is physically impossible to restore it. The ratio of the catchment area to the area of ​​the sea itself is the most unfavorable - 6: 1, the water exchange is very slow, and on top of everything else, the waters of the Danube flow here after traveling through three dozen European countries. In the Bulgarian resorts - Slynchevy Briag and Golden Sands - the sea is already completely brownish in color, last year the visibility was only 20 centimeters. If you swim in Black Sea, then it is better in the cold (up to 20-21 degrees): as soon as the water becomes warmer, the microflora (a possible carrier of infections) multiplies with tripled enthusiasm. Swimming in a dirty sea can cause not only skin irritation, but also infectious diseases ear cavity and nasopharynx, in rare cases - dysentery and even cholera. But most experts agree that European Union and Greenpeace set fantastically high environmental standards for the purity of seawater. In theory, this severity is justified, but we have never heard of a person swimming in the sea and immediately turning red spots or getting cholera. So if you find out that the sea off the coast on which you are going to relax is not quite clean, you simply should not sit in the water for 10 hours a day. But with fresh fish, really be careful. All marine life accumulates toxic substances in higher concentrations than water.

Of course, in order to disrupt the ecological balance of the oceans and all its seas, one must try hard, but humanity seems to be trying hard: now the pleasure of swimming in clean and clear sea water and eating clean seafood is a rare luxury. But as long as it's allowed.

Mid summer. In Voronezh and "on the seas" is in full swing bathing season. At this time, the influx of vacationers to all available water bodies in the city and beyond is increasing. At the same time, the number of accidents on the water is increasing. Most of them are related to the fact that vacationers do not follow important rules of safe behavior.

Swimming is allowed only in specially designated areas.

Yes exactly. Visit only equipped beaches. In case of any incident you will be assisted by lifeguards.

And, on the contrary, bypass untested reservoirs. After all, they can have strong currents, whirlpools, algae, snags, metal rods, fittings and much more.

Drunk people are not allowed to enter the water

Even if you feel after a couple of glasses of foam or something stronger, bravery, do not swim in the water.

According to statistics, it is swimming under water that is the main cause of death of people on the water.

Do not swim near ships, boats and ships

You can be pulled under the bottom of the craft, hit with a side, cut with a propeller and overwhelmed by a wave.

As you understand, diving in these cases is also prohibited.

Proper use of boats and swimming aids

Here we are talking about the fact that they do not need to be rocked, jumped from them into the water and overloaded. Do not think that everyone who is in the boat will be able to swim out if something happens.

Use inflatables with care

Air mattresses, buns, circles, cameras and boards can easily be carried away by the wind and current far from the coast. Therefore, those who do not have to swim should not lose their vigilance.

Oh, and don't forget that inflatables can easily burst or deflate.

Those who cannot swim enter the water only up to their waists.

There is nothing to explain here.

Never swim behind the buoys

Also, do not violate the fences that are available in the swimming areas. After all, a long swim threatens with hypothermia, convulsions, overwork and, as a result, death.

Don't play on the water

First of all, we are talking about pranks that are associated with diving and capturing other bathing people. Do not scare those who may not have so much fun in the pond.

Do not give false distress signals

Games with phrases such as "help", "help, sink" and many others are not allowed.

Do not swim at night and alone

Without light, it is easy to lose orientation in space and swim far away. A passing ship will not notice you - and tragedy cannot be avoided.

And finally, a "bonus" tip - children should always swim only under adult supervision!

In the event of an emergency in Russia, call 112 .

By the number of people drowned at sea, Paphos ranks 1st in Cyprus.

The most dangerous beaches are all wild beaches on east coast north of Paphos.

Hotel and city beaches are also considered unsafe, namely the area from Tombs of The Kings to Venus Beach Hotel

The most dangerous beach is the VENUS beach / Capital Coast hotel.

Section between Kissonerga and Chloraka
There are huge signs along the coastline in several languages ​​with information about the dangers of swimming, as well as buoys and cables in the sea to help those who find themselves in a difficult situation. There are no lifeguards on duty here because the area has been officially declared a no-swimming area.

In total, off the coast of Paphos, in addition to 13 deaths of foreigners in the said area in 2013, at least 100 people drowned in the last ten years, and about 40 in the summer of 2013. Most of these victims were foreign guests staying in hotels and tourist apartments in this district.

One solution to the problem would be to officially declare this part of the coast a restricted area, but, according to local officials, the administration of hotels and other tourist complexes that lure tourists "proximity to the beach" will begin to file lawsuits for "restriction of freedom" in the courts.

73-year-old Briton Gerald Bruton, who was vacationing with his wife for three weeks in Paphos, is shocked by the picture he saw. According to him, in three days he saw with his own eyes how five people almost drowned, and two of them were just lucky to stay alive.

“In the first week, we found a man who was pulled out of the sea by a guy serving towels in the hotel pool. This man was practically without signs of life, he was given first aid in time on the sand, fortunately he recovered,” Bruton told reporters. the next morning, another swimmer started having problems. He was swimming near the buoy in the sea, and became heavy, "like lead in the water." He was saved by a hotel security guard. When the swimmer was brought here, I thought he was dead. He was in a terrible One of the hotel's lifeguards gave him first aid, the staff managed to bring him to his senses, later he was taken to the hospital." Bruton added that he and his wife were aware of dangerous waters Paphos before their trip to Cyprus, but "only because their daughter came across a review on the Internet from a client about a trip to the area."

"But no one at the hotel warned us about the dangers of swimming when the waves are like this," Bruton added, saying he took the advice of locals to swim only in calm waters.

October 2013 Death under the boat.
The man, along with his 63-year-old father, decided to swim at the local beach, which is known as Coral Bay. At first, vacationers swam close to the shore, and then headed deep into the bay, far beyond the buoys. Some eyewitnesses say that the men were singled out a kilometer from land. There a tragic incident happened - a Russian fell under the sharp blades of a speedboat used as water attraction. The boat was driven by a Cypriot, he turned off the engine as soon as he heard a terrible noise. The victim was taken ashore and given to the medical service.

The tourist was hospitalized in a Paphos hospital, where doctors did their best. Unfortunately, the injuries were fatal and the man died.

Mediterranean sharks are not found in these places and there is no sharp hypothermia here either.

Here suddenly there are oncoming movements.

"Trying to resist - nothing comes out. A couple of moments - and panic begins. The heart beats at a speed of 180-200 beats per minute. You say goodbye to life in all seriousness."

For example, in less than 49 years of my life I have not found out why people drown on the ocean (and serious seas)? How can you drown when you can swim?! Especially when you don’t know how, and therefore you don’t go deeper than waist-deep. However, sad reports from Egypt, then from Thailand, then from India make one wonder: a young guy, almost a professional swimmer ... drowned! Two girls... drowned! What a horror!

So: 95 percent of all drownings in serious seas-oceans happen because of ... rip currents, that is, oncoming currents! Have you ever heard of these? I have no doubt that the color of our society - the technotronic goblinarius - has heard and even read about it, for example, on Wikipedia. And the rest? I almost grew up by the sea. He swam in all oceans: in the Pacific, Indian, Atlantic, in all seas (with the exception of the cold ones of the Barents type), but he did not even guess about any oncoming currents. That's a gap in education, so a gap. It never occurred to anyone to enlighten me on the subject of "rips", and even more so for me to study it myself - and even more so. At best, I saw signs: "Swimming is prohibited!"

Meanwhile, "rips" are found on all, without exception, oceanic and sometimes sea ​​beaches. It's good when rescuers walk around, constantly rearranging red flags from place to place. Until recently, I did not understand why they do this, by what principle they determine places that are dangerous for swimming. It seems around the stones, but sometimes 100-150 meters from them ...

You can read about the physics of the occurrence of "rips" on your own in your favorite Wikipedia. Technically, it is enough for incompetent comrades to know that corridors with a reverse (towards the sea) flow constantly appear in one place or another right next to the shore. There are "rips" that are stable, and they are not so dangerous, because, as a rule, all the locals know about them and suggest where you do not need to go swimming. But there are so-called flash rip currents that come and go; they are the ones that pose a mortal danger.

In most cases, the "rip" corridor is narrow, 2-3 meters, and it is easy to jump out of it to the right or left. Also, in most cases, the speed of the current in the "rip" is 4-5 km / h, which is also not dangerous.

However, several times a day on the same beach, "rips" up to 50 meters wide and up to 200-400 meters long can occur! If a speed of 15 km / h is added to it, then, having got into such a "rip", if you do not know how to deal with it, you can read a prayer.

What happens when a person gets into a "rip"? He is about to be dragged into the open ocean. If the "rip" is wide and the speed is even minimal (5 km / h), it is useless to resist, that is, to swim against the current - it will still drag you to the depth. It is sad just the fact that people who do not know about the "rips" begin to desperately resist and frantically swim exactly towards the coast, that is, against the current of the "rip". They, of course, fail, and after 20-30 seconds a MONSTER PANIC sets in!

This happened to me twice: three years ago and this year at the very beginning of the season. I swam and swam - and suddenly I was dragged at such a speed (feels like about 10 km / h) into the open ocean that for a moment I experienced all the horror experienced by Mironov's character while fishing in "The Diamond Arm". Believe me, when the "rip" drags you, it's a NIGHTMARE!

The scariest thing is if you swam to a place where you no longer touch the bottom. Then he picks up and carries hell knows where. What to do is unclear. Thank God, I was warned from the first day that breaking away from the bottom is absolutely undesirable under any circumstances. I was dragged into the open ocean while I was up to my chest. You stand calmly, you rest, and suddenly it pulls you away. Trying to resist - nothing comes out. A couple of moments - and the panic begins. The heart beats at a speed of 180-200 beats per minute. Say goodbye to life in all seriousness. Dragged this time at an angle not to the open sea, but to the stones - also one of the, as I later learned, common options for "rip".

Can you imagine if a person cannot swim?! Here he stands, say, waist-deep in water and thinks: "Kaif! I won't go deeper, it's safe here!" What is there! It will fall into the "rip", the ocean will drag it away and will not ask for the last name, especially if it is a weak woman or old man. It will drag you to where there will be no bottom... But you don't know how to swim... It's better not to think.

How to be? How to deal with "rips"? If you can’t swim at all, there is only one recommendation: do not go into the water alone! Never! Only with someone experienced. Of course, you need to swim where there are lifeguards and red flags.

Those who know how to swim should remember that the depth to the chest is already sufficient for a serious "rip" (10 km / h or more), which can drag into the open ocean.

What to do if you are still blown away? First and foremost, DON'T PANIC! In no case, because, knowing about the rules of behavior in the "rip" and not panicking, you will get out in 1000 cases out of 1000.

The second important thing is not to resist backflow And in no case do not swim to the shore! It sounds, of course, intimidating, but this is the only correct logic: by resisting, you will not achieve anything, you will still continue to drag, but in a minute or two you will be exhausted, exhausted, tired and guaranteed to lose your composure. Hundreds and hundreds of excellent swimmers, athletes, athletes, weightlifters and bodybuilders unknowingly drowned in "rips". In this scenario, the case will not be for you.

So, don't panic and don't swim to shore! What are you doing? First: try to get out of the "rip" to the side. That is, you are not swimming towards the shore, but parallel to it. Right or left, it doesn't matter. If the "rip" is narrow, 2-4 meters, then you will quickly get out of it. If it is wide - up to 50 meters, then, of course, it will not work. As soon as you realize that you can’t get out, immediately stop trying and ... relax! Lie on your back, but don't panic. Why? Because in a minute or two the oncoming current will end and leave you alone. After that, you will turn around and swim ... but not immediately to the shore, but first 50-100 meters to the side to bypass the "rip", otherwise you will stick back into it. Oh, and while you're relaxing downstream, don't forget to raise your hand high, then at least a lifeguard will help you on your way back.

Another important detail to remember: "rip" will never drag you to the bottom! It's not a whirlpool or a funnel. All the "rips" in the world are dragged from the shore along the surface, but not to the depth. On the surface, you can swim in the warm ocean for three days for sure ☺

Finally, the last thing: all "rips" have clear identification marks (signs). If there are no lifeguards with red flags on the beach, you can independently determine the place of the oncoming current by one of the following signs (in any combination).

• Visible channel of seething water, perpendicular to the shore.
• A coastal zone with a changed color of the water (say, everything around is blue or green, and some area is white).
• A section of foam, some kind of marine vegetation, bubbles, which is steadily moving from the coast to the open sea.
• A gap in the general structure of tidal waves (a continuous band of waves, and in the middle there is a 5-10-meter gap).

If you see any of the above, consider yourself lucky and just don't go swimming in this place. But what if you do not see any of the four signs? So you're out of luck, because 80 percent of dangerous flash rips don't show up visually. That is, professional rescuers will still be able to determine these places, but ordinary tourists are unlikely. Until they are pulled into one of these invisible "rips".

It also happens like this: you swim, you swim in a calm and safe place, and then - again, something changed in the geometry of the sandy bottom, the direction of the wind, the height and speed of the waves, and - bam! - there is an unexpected "rip"! And you are already in it. It doesn't matter: now we know how to behave, what to do and what not to do.

The main danger is fraught with fresh water, especially stagnant ones, where there is a lot of underwater vegetation and snails. Hordes of pathogens of various diseases live in them, for example, cercariae - helminth larvae that can enter the body through intact skin and migrate under it, causing "swimmer's scabies" - a skin disease with a rash and itching. And through cuts and scratches or by swallowing water, you can become infected with ascaris, whipworm. If rural animals are kept near the reservoir, then the ingress of their feces into the water can provide the baby with leptospirosis, yersiniosis, and giardiasis. If there are factories or other industrial facilities nearby, then there are probably toxic chemicals in the reservoir.

Rules. It is impossible to determine “by eye” whether there is an infection in the reservoir, so do not swim:

• in places where the sign "swimming is prohibited" is installed;
• in reservoirs that look dirty, with "blooming" water;
• if treatment facilities, farms, factories and other industrial facilities are located on the shore;
• V park areas where dogs or many waterfowl walk in large numbers.

Child safety on the water: is it better to swim in the sea?

Sea water, unlike fresh water, saturated with salts, iodine and other trace elements, kills almost all pathogenic microbes, and it is not easy to pick up an “infection” in the sea, although it is possible, so swimming in the sea is safer.

Rules. If you have decided on a pond for a child, you need to remember the safety measures on the water:

• track depth;
• choose a place for bathing children, indicated by buoys;
• check the strength of the current: it should not be felt. If whirlpools or funnels are noticeable on the surface of the water, even if they are small and safe in appearance, do not take risks;
• before letting the child into the pond, inspect the bottom for cliffs, holes, glass, large stones and snags;
• do not swim immediately after eating;
• do not swim in fresh water if there are open wounds and skin damage on the body;
• swimming in the sea is advisable only in bathing clothes, and sometimes special shoes that protect your feet from damage.

Child safety on the water: the built environment

It would seem that the pool is devoid of all dangers: there are no walking cows nearby or motor boats. One advantage? Far from it. These reservoirs also have disadvantages. So, in order to qualitatively disinfect water, various reagents, such as chlorine, are added to it. This substance irritates the mucous membranes of the eyes, respiratory tract, and can cause coughing, choking, or a rash. According to scientists, the concentration of chlorine in the basin sometimes coincides with its amount in the air of large industrial cities. The danger is fraught with locker rooms and showers, where you can easily pick up a fungus, warts or viral molluscs.

Rules. It turns out that it is safest to swim in the sea. And the fact that many foreigners prefer the pool is explained very simply. This choice is due to a prosaic reason: standard inexpensive insurance does not cover accidents that occur at sea. We need a special, more expensive one, which not everyone can afford.

What variety!

No matter how beautiful a sea holiday is, you always want more. Especially in organized resorts, where entertainment is at every step: waterslides, riding on a banana and a bun on the water, catamarans and scooters. Very tempting, but not safe, especially for kids:

• you can fall from a cheesecake, banana or air mattress, get scared, choke, and the rescuers who are nearby will not have time to do anything. Unfortunately, most of them have not received special training and do not know how to act under such circumstances;
• with hard skating (bananas, buns), the risk of traumatic injuries of the spine, bruises is very high internal organs, bruises and hematomas;
• public life jackets are a source of infections - bacterial, fungal and viral.

But to ride a child on a yacht, a boat with a professional is easy.

Rules. Near a pond, and even more so in it, even in life-saving ammunition, a child should not be left unattended by an adult for a minute, even in the safest place! The behavior of the little ones is full of surprises.

Memo to parents

Introduce the child to the water element carefully, scaring the child, you can discourage him from swimming. If you follow the rules, everything will work out:

• the child must enter the water voluntarily;
• for the first time you can take the baby in your arms;
• it’s good to run in the surf at first, collecting shells and pebbles - the child will not even notice how he will be waist-deep in water;
• do not splash, shout or scare the child;
• do not drag the little one immediately into the depth: let it sink gradually;
• wearing armlets and a vest, still keep an eye on the child, because these devices are not rescue equipment;
• for the first bathing of the child, choose calm weather, calm, without wind and waves;
• the baby should go into the water only after being in the shade;
• limit the first bath of the child to a few minutes;
• after bathing, the child must be wiped immediately, but it is better to rub and change into dry clothes, otherwise he may catch a cold.

Water Safety: Marine Life

Bathing a baby can be not only wonderful, but also dangerous. Sharp rocks or corals, dangerous Marine life: jellyfish, starfish, colorful fish, octopus.

Jellyfish

In nature, there is a huge variety of jellyfish, more than 1500 are currently described by scientists. various kinds and new ones are constantly being opened. Jellyfish are unusually beautiful and graceful in the water, children always want to touch them. But almost all of them pose a danger to the child, since the tentacles of jellyfish are covered with special stinging cells containing poison. Jellyfish sting only if you touch them from below or touch the tentacles, so your task is to tell and prevent direct contact between the baby and the marine life.

If this was not possible, then the first signs of a burn from a jellyfish will be:

• severe burning at the point of contact of the tentacles;
• redness and swelling, up to the development of angioedema;
• pain and aches in the muscles, fever;
• possible bronchial obstruction: paroxysmal cough, superficial wheezing, asphyxia;
• in extreme cases - collapse: a sharp decrease in pressure, fainting and convulsions.

Such a spread of symptoms depends on the type of jellyfish and the amount of poison that has got on the skin of the child, the age and allergic predisposition of the baby.

Rules. Learn how to provide first aid:

• do not touch the wound with bare hands;
• take the jellyfish out of the baby’s hands and use any blunt object (the back of a knife, a credit card) to scrape off the stinging cells from his skin;
• Rinse the injured area with plenty of salt water.
• to relieve pain from a jellyfish sting, apply cold, apply a cream with hydrocortisone or an antihistamine;
• be sure to let the baby drink.

Sea urchin

Small and very peaceful, if left untouched, creatures. Usually hedgehogs burrow into coastal sand or stones, hide in coral reefs of warm seas. For most, the needles do not contain poison, but they can still cause a lot of trouble if they dig into the body. And if the baby is “lucky” to meet a poisonous representative, then pain shock, temporary paralysis and long-term unpleasant treatment are provided. If, nevertheless, the hedgehog needle is in the body, it is necessary to immediately remove it, treat the wound with antiseptics and carefully monitor so that suppuration does not begin.

Rules. Near the habitat of hedgehogs, look under your feet and wear special shoes.

Sea stars

Very beautiful and attract children like magnets. Most star representatives are absolutely harmless, but dangerous specimens also come across. For example, the “crown of thorns” starfish, which usually lives in the coral thickets of warm seas, has poisonous spikes at the ends of all eight rays (most non-poisonous stars have five rays). If you step on such a needle, it breaks off, gets stuck in the skin, causing severe inflammation and swelling, and later - vomiting and dizziness. If this happens, immediately place the affected limb in warm water, remove the needles, grease with an antiseptic. For further treatment, antibiotics prescribed by a doctor are used.

Rules. You will see starfish, do not check it for toxicity, but rather go swimming elsewhere.

Octopuses

Traditionally, everyone is afraid of large octopuses, and they try to catch small ones and take a closer look. But in fact, it's quite the opposite! Huge octopuses attack people and sink ships only in the movies, but small bluish-ringed octopuses that live in shallow water in the Indian Ocean are the real enemies of humanity. When such an octopus bites, paralysis of the muscles occurs, and a person can die from suffocation.

Fish

There are a variety of colors: orange, yellow, blue, spotted! Unfortunately, more than half of exotic beauties are poisonous! There are poisonous spines on the gills of the red-purple beauty of the zebra fish (striped lionfish), thorns on the poisonous and ugly stone fish (warty). Electric stingrays pose a certain danger: although they are not particularly poisonous, they are always ready to treat the offender with a blow of a spiked tail. Usually stingrays swim up to the shore and burrow into the sand, exposing only their tail with a poisonous sting. On the sand, it can be mistaken for a pebble and, without suspecting anything, step on.

Rules. There is no specific treatment, you just need to be more careful. Teach a child walking barefoot on the beach to look at their feet.

a little bit of good

No matter how hot the weather is, you need to remember that the baby always has a risk of hypothermia in the water. To avoid this, remember two rules.

The first is to limit water procedures: it is better to bathe often, but not for long, and if the child knows that he will soon bathe again, he will come out of the water without scandal. The first bath should not exceed 2-3 minutes in time, and gradually reach 10 minutes.

The second is to actively move in the water, not to stand still. When moving, a lot of heat is released and it is much more difficult to overcool.