Drowning season has arrived, and with it comes an escalating number of cases. In the past week, four men lost their lives in the Dead Sea, and a 50-year-old man drowned at Ashkelon National Park beach. These incidents are just a few examples of the rising trend in drowning cases reported recently.
Since the start of the season, 166 people have drowned and required assistance in Israel, with 20 of them tragically losing their lives. This represents a 46% increase compared to the same period last year. Most of these drownings occurred on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, as well as in private and public pools, and water reservoirs. The upward trajectory in drowning incidents has been consistent over the past four years, more than doubling in that time frame.
Doral Erzuan, a senior paramedic at MDA, notes that most drownings occur on undeclared beaches or outside lifeguard hours. He stresses the importance of parental supervision, especially for young children who may not know how to swim. Adults are also at risk, particularly in unique environments like the Dead Sea where even small amounts of water can have serious consequences due to high salt concentration levels.
Orly Silvinger, CEO of Betram organization for child safety, emphasizes the need for increased vigilance and adherence to safety guidelines around water. Drowning is the second leading cause of death among children’s accidents and can be prevented through measures such as constant supervision by adults or lifeguards when swimming or playing near water bodies. It is also crucial to follow lifeguard instructions and empty pools immediately after use to avoid accidents caused by unattended pools. Erzuan also stresses that attempting water rescues without proper training can result in further tragedies as statistics show that 30% of untrained rescuers end up drowning themselves while trying to save others.
In case of a drowning emergency, dialing 101 for MDA services is critical since there may be no lifeguards present on duty. It is essential to prioritize safety and follow guidelines to prevent further tragedies from occurring while protecting lives in water environments.
In conclusion, it is crucial to take necessary precautions during bathing season by following safety guidelines around water bodies while being aware of potential danger zones such as undeclared beaches or unique environments like dead sea shoreline or private/public pools with high salt concentration levels
