The police warn the public about the increased risk of tragic events near water bodies during hot summer days. In the past two days alone, there have been six cases of water deaths in the Bratislava region. He therefore calls on people to be careful, to behave responsibly and not to overestimate their own strength. The Presidium of the Police Force announced this on the social network.
On Friday (June 26), rescuers found the man’s body in Lake Kuchajda and another man without signs of life in Lake Veľký Draždiak. A woman lost her life on Saturday (June 27). in the Čunovský lake, a man in the lake near the village of Réca and two men on the Golden Sands in Bratislava.
The police remind that during the summer months, the number of drowning victims is traditionally high and often exceeds the number of people killed in traffic accidents. In connection with the expected high temperatures, he appeals to visitors to swimming pools, lakes and water reservoirs to be extremely cautious.
He points out that although approximately 100 to 130 people drown in Slovakia each year, most of these tragedies happen during the three- to four-month summer season. In the summer months, according to preventive statistics, the number of drowning victims reaches 30 to 40 persons per month, which is approximately 1.5 to twice the average monthly number of traffic accident victims.
As the Slovak Red Cross stated on the social network, drowning tends to be very quick. The surface closes behind a drowning person in about 20 to 60 seconds. According to the police, it is among the most common causes of tragedies are overestimation of one’s own swimming abilities, entering the water under the influence of alcohol, sudden health complications or temperature shock after jumping into cold water. The police recommend swimming only in reserved and ideally guarded places, entering the water gradually.
The police also urged parents to they paid extra attention to the children near the water and did not leave them unattended even for a short time. According to her, responsible behavior can significantly reduce the risk of further tragedies during persistent heat.
If a person witnesses drowning, they should immediately call for help on the emergency line 112 and enter the water only if it does not endanger their own life. Do not overestimate your swimming skills or physical strength and avoid excessive alcohol consumption before entering the water. At the same time, he advises that people do not go to the water alone and keep an eye on each other while swimming.
