Tragic drownings of teenagers in Poland. Must they keep happening?

Despite appeals, warnings, and educational campaigns, water continues to claim new victims. Last week, the country was shaken by the death of a 15-year-old scout forced by his supervisors to swim at night in a lake. Yesterday, a 16-year-old went missing in the waves of the Baltic Sea. Can drownings of teenagers be prevented?

Search continues in the Baltic

Radio Szczecin reports that this morning, the search resumed for the 16-year-old boy who went missing yesterday in the Baltic Sea. The teenager and his brother ignored red flags displayed on the beach in Dziwnówek and entered the rough sea. About 20 meters from the shore, the boy was swept away by high waves. His brother managed to get out of the water on his own and called for help.

Unfortunately, the coordinated efforts of water rescuers, police officers, and firefighters yielded no results. The sea was searched using the so-called “life chain” method – rescuers holding hands – as well as from boats. However, the wind was so strong and the waves so high that the SAR boat capsized. All rescuers were pulled from the water, but the search was suspended in the evening due to difficult weather conditions.

Currently, the search for the missing boy in Dziwnówek is being continued by the Specialist Water and Diving Rescue Group from Szczecin.

Extreme peak of irresponsibility near water

Recklessness and irresponsibility among teenagers are sad realities that may be partially explained by youthful bravado and a lack of imagination. However, there is no excuse for situations where adults put children at risk of drowning.

Let us recall that last week, in the town of Wilcze in Greater Poland, a 15-year-old scout drowned. As part of earning a badge, the boy was tasked with swimming across Lake Ośno at night, fully clothed and wearing shoes. A lifeguard and a supervisor watched the teenager’s attempt from the pier, and only when the scout disappeared under the water did they launch a boat to help him. Sadly, it was too late. The boy’s body was recovered the next morning.

This unimaginable tragedy sparked a loud and much-needed public discussion about the responsibility of adults supervising children and youth. Paweł Błasiak, president of the National Board of the Volunteer Water Rescue Service (WOPR), told TVN24 plainly: I wouldn’t let a 15-year-old, or any other camp participants, go into the water at night. He condemned the lack of boat support and the absence of a floating safety buoy.

Jarosław Sroka, president of the Masurian Volunteer Rescue Service (MOPR), also joined the critics, telling PAP: I don’t know what the point was of swimming at night in the lake, but we strongly advise against such practices.

Drownings of teenagers – tragedies that could have been avoided?

Sadly, similar tragedies happen every year, far too often. In June this year, three teenagers aged 17 and 18 went kayaking at night on Lake Małszewskie in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship. All of them drowned.

Last year, on the first weekend of summer break, a 9-year-old girl drowned in a reservoir in Glinica while swimming with other children without adult supervision. Two days earlier, a 14-year-old boy died while swimming in a retention reservoir in Leszno, and a 17-year-old drowned in a flooded gravel pit called Bolko in Opole.

Responsibility for drownings of teenagers lies with us – the adults. Not even for a moment should we allow children to think that swimming in forbidden areas or during red flag conditions is acceptable. Safe water habits must be instilled from an early age. As Jarosław Sroka from MOPR told PAP, Poles often swim out into the middle of lakes or the sea instead of staying close and swimming parallel to the shore.

WOPR has been teaching us for years how to behave near water, urging caution and prudence. This year’s awareness campaign focuses on the obligation to wear life vests while practicing water sports. The BoJA campaign reminds us to:
• Use safety equipment, such as inflatable buoys, while swimming;
• Always follow lifeguard instructions;
• Never jump into unknown waters;
• Swim only in designated areas.

WOPR’s educational materials are worth reviewing, sharing, and above all – teaching to children and teenagers. Teenage drownings don’t have to keep happening – each of the cases mentioned above could have been avoided.