Rescue Board educating people on water safety

The Rescue Board will be patrolling Estonian beaches this weekend, dispensing water safety information to visitors. No fewer than 32 people have drowned so far in 2020.
Hot weather and warm water also drew rescue workers to the beaches on Saturday to give advice to bathers and hand out safety leaflets, "Aktuaalne kaamera" reported.
"We are reminding people to be responsible when going to the beach, to refrain from endangering their own lives and those of others and to make sure not to overestimate their capabilities. /…/ People should not overreach themselves, swim into deep water where their feet cannot touch the bottom. Definitely refrain from using alcohol," said Tarmo Klooster, squad commander for Rescue Center North.
Thirty-two people have drowned in Estonia so far in 2020. Half of them were under the influence of alcohol at the time. Lifeguard at Vääna-Jõesuu Beach Jaanus Härms said that luckily, weather this hot makes people choose water over alcohol in most cases.
"People usually do not drink in weather such as this, light beverages if at all. /…/ I have not seen anyone act out or be visibly drunk. Hot weather rather does not encourage the consumption of strong alcohol," he said.
Rescue workers are paying special attention to unregistered beaches as they lack regular lifeguard service.
Northern rescue workers were satisfied with the beach near Tilgu Harbor. "They have a marked area for people to swim, parents are keeping an eye on children, people are sober and behaving themselves. Everything is in order," Klooster said.
Rescue workers are also asking people to always keep an eye on small children.
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Editor: Marcus Turovski