Overview
- Rospotrebnadzor cautions people with cardiovascular, nervous system, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, nasopharyngeal inflammatory and endocrine diseases to avoid or take special care during plunges, with children, pregnant women and the elderly advised not to participate.
- Moscow’s chief outpatient care specialist warns that immersing after drinking increases risks of frostbite and exacerbations up to sudden death, and says non‑equipped locations heighten the danger of injuries and delayed medical help.
- Health guidance stresses checking blood pressure, warming up muscles, entering feet‑first, avoiding head‑first dives, limiting time in the water to about one minute and using handrails or assistance when exiting.
- Clinicians advise undressing only immediately before immersion, thoroughly drying with a towel after exiting, putting on warm, dry clothing and moving into a heated area to prevent hypothermia.
- Academician Gennady Onishchenko notes potential benefits when rules are followed and points to Moscow’s officially organized sites with tents, rescuers, medical staff and pre‑event water quality checks.