Epiphany bathing will be organized at 40 venues in Moscow

In Moscow, 40 sites will be used during Epiphany bathing. This was announced by Andrey Ivanov, Deputy head of the Department for Civil Defense, Emergency Situations and Fire Safety of the capital, on Thursday, January 15.

He clarified that all bathing starts at 18:00 on January 18, and the end is scheduled for 18:00 on January 19.

"More than 3,000 personnel from all services will be involved: Moscow rescuers, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and medical services. A total of 40 bathing places have been planned, which have been accepted by Rospotrebnadzor to date, and lanes and fonts are already being organized in these places," the Moscow City News agency quotes Ivanov.

He added that, in addition to bathing areas, waiting and changing areas for men and women will be equipped, as well as medical care facilities.

"The events are accompanied by hot tea to keep warm before and after bathing. Field kitchens are being built at the request of citizens," Ivanov concluded.

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Dmitry Smirnov, a therapist at the Lobnya Hospital, said that alcohol should definitely not be consumed before bathing, as it disrupts natural thermoregulation. It is also necessary to pre-warm up with light exercises and rubbing, and you should approach the hole in comfortable non-slip shoes, and the dive itself should last no more than 20-30 seconds. 360.ru .

In turn, doctor Elina Baksicheva said that immersion in icy water requires preparation, RT reports.

Earlier, on January 14, Yulia Morozova, a pediatrician at the Krasnogorsk Hospital of the Ministry of Health of the Moscow Region, said that people with diabetes, as well as those who have suffered a stroke, should absolutely not swim in the ice hole.

Epiphany bathing is one of the most famous traditions of the Epiphany of the Lord. Many believe that this rite cleanses from sins, but the clergy emphasize that bathing is not a church sacrament and does not replace repentance and confession.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.