An average of 136 people drown in Latvia every year. Approximately every ninth is a child or youngster aged five to 24 years, according to data from the State Disease Prevention and Control Centre (SPKC).
According to data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), every year approximately 236 000 people drown. 84% of them are men. Drowning is one of the most common causes of death for children five to 14 years of age.
On 25 July, the World Drowning Prevention Day, WHO invites residents of member states to carefully think about what they can do as individuals and as a group to prevent drownings.
In June 2022 SPKC launched a special public awareness campaign ‘Price of recklessness. Don’t jump!’, the objective of which is to tell real stories of people who were severely injured when they jump head-first into water.
When spending time on the beach, at a lake or a river, healthcare specialists advice residents refrain from going swimming if alcohol was used. It is also advised to refrain from swimming immediately after having a meals or after spending a lot of time under direct sunlight.
Experts also advise residents to not jump into water head-first. It is not advised to jump in the water at all, especially for children.
SPKC invite residents to not go swimming alone to avoid accidents and to make sure someone is there to provide any assistance that may be needed in an emergency.
It is advised to walk into water slowly in order to judge the depth. When swimming it is advised to stay close to the shore at a level when water reaches to a person’s chest.
Experts invite residents to carefully consider their swimming skills: not attempt to swim across a river, lake or swim far away to the sea. It is also advised to pick official bathing locations that a re safe and have the necessary infrastructure. If no such location is available nearby, residents should first test the available locations by measuring the depth and stability of the bottom to make sure there are no holes or rocks below.
Children should remain under parental supervision for the entire time they remain near the water. If an accident occurs and assistance from rescuers or healthcare specialists is needed, residents should immediately call 112.
Also read: Jurmala to become an even safer resort for families with children