The material collects the main rules for safe ice bathing, from choosing a specially equipped place and warming up before immersion to proper behavior in the water and after getting out. Special attention is given to avoiding hypothermia, cold shock, and other dangerous consequences of winter bathing.

Rules for bathing (ablution) in an ice hole
1. Immersion (bathing) should be done only in specially equipped ice holes near the shore, close to rescue stations, under the supervision of rescuers.
2. Before bathing in the ice hole, it is necessary to warm up the body by doing a warm-up and a jog.
3. You should approach the ice hole in comfortable, non-slip, and easy-to-remove footwear to prevent loss of sensation in the feet. It is better to use boots or wool socks to get to the ice hole. It is possible to use slippers, which also protect the feet from sharp stones and salt, and will also keep you from slipping on the ice. When walking to the ice hole, remember that the path may be slippery. Walk slowly and carefully.
4. It is best to immerse yourself up to the neck, without wetting your head, to avoid reflex narrowing of the blood vessels of the brain.
5. Never dive into the ice hole headfirst. Jumping into the water and submerging with your head are not recommended, as this increases heat loss and can lead to cold shock.
6. When entering the water for the first time, try to quickly reach the depth you need, but do not swim. Remember that cold water may cause completely normal, safe rapid breathing. As soon as your body has adapted to the cold.
7. Do not stay in the ice hole for more than 1 minute to avoid general hypothermia of the body.
8. After bathing (ablution), rub yourself dry with a terry towel and put on dry clothes.
9. To strengthen immunity and avoid hypothermia, it is necessary to drink hot tea, preferably made from berries, fruits, and vegetables from a thermos prepared in advance.
According to materials from the press service of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia for the Irkutsk Region