The Ministry of the Interior announced today that the bathing season for 2024 starts today, Monday 15th April, 204 - ז' בניסן תשפ"ד.
During the season, Israeli citizens will enjoy safe bathing at more than 157 bathing beaches throughout the country. The swimming season ends on: 31st October 2024 - כ"ט בתשרי התשפ"ה.
Swimming is permitted only on official beaches and with a lifeguard present!
Here is our list of separate beaches across the country: https://sheme.sh/beaches
With the start of the beach season, please take a moment to read over these beach safety guidelines, so that we can enjoy our time at the beach safely.
According to data collected during previous bathing seasons, about 90% of drowning cases occurred in the absence of a lifeguard, on a forbidden beach or after the end of rescue service hours, or due to swimming while intoxicated, which is why the Ministry of the Interior annually issues information to the general public and in various languages to prevent drowning.
Beach Safety Guidelines:
- NEVER enter the water at a beach without a lifeguard. It is Pikuach Nefesh.
- Bathers must listen to instructions from the lifeguards and supervisors.
- Entry to the water is permitted only within the area marked as permitted for swimming as long as a lifeguard is on duty.
- Always swim with a buddy.
Pay attention to the flag positioned on the lifeguard’s hut:
White – Swimming is permitted
Red – The sea is dangerous and swimming is permitted only within the defined area
Black – Swimming is completely forbidden
Purple – Jellyfish warning
- If you don’t know how to swim, please enter the shallow water only.
- While swimming in the sea, you should remain close to other swimmers and maintain eye contact with them.
- Please avoid depth diving in places with which you are not acquainted. You may encounter dangerous objects or currents.
- Never pretend to drown. The lifeguard treats all calls for help very seriously.
- Do not enter the water after eating. Food that has not yet been digested may cause choking.
- Drinking alcohol places the swimmer in danger. Do not enter the water if you are inebriated.
- Do not use surfboards, jet-skis, or boats on a beach declared permitted for swimming.
- Swimming is permitted during the official operating hours of the beach only!
- NO night swimming!
Mediterranean Sea Dangers:
The Mediterranean is characterized by strong waves and the coastal currents, which vary from place to place and hourly and constitute a major danger zone when bathing at sea. There are areas with a strong undertow, which are usually marked off with flags, these can be very dangerous for inexperienced swimmers, even near to the shore.
Kinneret Dangers:
Drift and sudden waves: The wind climate in the Sea of Galilee causes a phenomenon of strong westerly winds suddenly blowing in, mainly in the afternoon and early evening hours, which causes waves on the western edge of the sea that can sweep swimmers out into deep waters.
Boats in the areas: There is a lot of sailing and water sport activity in the Sea of Galilee, including water skiing, jet skis, racing boats, surfboards, and more. This activity takes place in close proximity to beaches declared as permitted for swimming, and quite a few accidents have happened in the past due to a lack of caution on the part of swimmers and those engaged in sailing and water sports.
Campgrounds alongside undeclared beaches: All along the Sea of Galilee shores, there are many campgrounds for vacationers, some of which are alongside undeclared beaches. The location of these campgrounds may mislead the public into thinking that there are lifeguard and first aid services at the site.
Gulf of Eilat and the Red Sea Dangers:
The sharp angle of the seabed creates places where there is a sharp transition from shallow to deep water. This means that there is deep water quite close to the beach.
Northwesterly winds can sweep you toward the open sea and beyond the boundaries with neighboring countries: Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Dead Sea Dangers:
Slipping: Due to the greasiness of the water in the Dead Sea, it is easy to slip, trip, or lose your balance in the water.
Swimming in the water: The heavy sea water leads to floating, acting as a counterforce to the body’s weight, which make it difficult to swim.
Swallowing sea water: When floating, or when transitioning from lying on your back to standing, you may swallow or ingest water into the digestive tract or the respiratory tract. The entry of seawater into the respiratory tract may lead to serious and rapid complications that impact the functioning of the lungs and the respiratory system.
Also, you need to watch out for sinkholes on the beach.
This knowledge can save a life, be smart and do not take unnecessary risks. Stay safe!
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