How to bathe in baptism. Dipped? Forget social media! Or what not to do on the feast of Epiphany
“Plunging into the hole is a Russian pious tradition,
having no sacramental meaning"
- To plunge into the hole on the feast of the Epiphany of Theophany is a Russian pious tradition that has no sacramental significance, and the Church does not oblige anyone to strictly observe it. In fact, quite a lot has already been written about this. It all depends on the desire of the person. But for many believers, this tradition is very important.
For example, in Moscow, where I was born and raised, the tradition of consecrating a font carved in ice was massively renewed in the 1990s. At the Compound of Optina Pustyn in Ostankino, which is now the Compound of His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, on the feast of Epiphany, a night service was always served, according to the charter, it was very long, and in the morning, when dawn was barely breaking, the Ostankino pond was Procession, after which the rector consecrated a font specially carved in ice. And then old people, women, children, of course, and adult men plunged into the consecrated hole - everyone who wanted to. However, it was customary before bathing to approach the priest and take a blessing for this.
In this sense, the question that it is necessary to take a shower on the night of Epiphany looks rather strange. After all, if the tradition of “going to the Jordan” goes back to the Holy Gospel story, when the Savior received John’s baptism in the waters of the Jordan, then what significance can the need to take a soul in Epiphany night? Rather, it looks like some kind of superstition or delusion.
Indeed, the mass of people at Baptism, without going into the temple of God and without thinking about deepest sense holiday - the Epiphany of the Lord, they strive to plunge into the hole three times simply because they want to feel some kind of extreme situation in life, or, perhaps, to raise their morale, or simply "for the company." In their lives, of course, this will not change anything: "God willing - on next year we’re still swimming, ”and that’s all. But I know at least one case when a person who came “for swimming” with a noisy company later went to a nearby temple, where someone intelligibly and accurately explained to him the meaning of why he had just plunged into icy water. The young man began to go to the temple, to divine services, then confess and take communion. Here, probably, a lot depends on us - people who must explain to others the meaning and significance of this or that church action, traditions, and do it correctly and on accessible language.
I believe that the main benefit for a Christian through a symbolic after-service can be a greater familiarization with the reality of the feast of Baptism - the Epiphany of the Lord. Recently we celebrated the Nativity of Christ, glorified together with the angels and shepherds the Incarnation in the world of "our sake of salvation" Jesus Christ. On the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the Holy Church reminds us of great secret God of the Trinity, revealed to the whole world more than 2000 years ago in the waters of the Jordan River. This is the reality that the Church lives in and into which every Christian is called to enter.
"Bathing in the hole is irrelevant
has no spiritual life"
— In my opinion, swimming in the hole has nothing to do with spiritual life. This is one of the traditions, which, unfortunately, has grown into superstition. You need to approach such procedures with reasoning, take care of your health and not risk it. For people who do not go to church, do not go to confession and do not receive communion, in my opinion, there will be no spiritual benefit from swimming in the hole. Many of those who traditionally plunge into the hole at the Epiphany of the Lord say later that upon leaving the cold water they experienced relief and euphoria: “It was like being born again, leaving all sins in the hole.” There is a medical explanation for this condition. Immersion in ice water is a great stress for the body. And under stress, the hormone adrenaline is released into the bloodstream, under the influence of which such sensations arise. This state has nothing to do with spirituality.
People believe that, having come once a year to Epiphany to the hole, they thereby lead Christian life. This is a deep delusion. No need to lull your Christian conscience with this. There is also an opinion that if a person plunges into the hole three times, the Lord will immediately forgive all his sins. This is also not true, because sins are forgiven a person in the Sacrament of Confession, and then with a deep, contrite and repentant feeling, when a person repented before God with all his might and began to fight against sin. It was then that the Lord, seeing these labors, absolves a person of sins - again in the Sacrament of Confession, and not in the hole. It does not happen that a person sins all year, then comes to the hole, dips in it three times and is freed from sin. People do not understand that as they lived in sin, so they will live if they do not turn to true and deep repentance and proceed to confession.
“In baptismal water you can’t not only swim,
but you can’t even baptize children”
- On the feast of the Epiphany and the day before - on Epiphany Christmas Eve - a great consecration of water is performed in memory of the Epiphany on the Jordan River. This is the holy water of the great agiasma, the great shrine. In the last decade, bathing in holy water has become widespread. Unfortunately, often people without prayer, and in a state of intoxication, and even with obscene cries, plunge into icy water. Without remembering the Lord Jesus Christ, the great church holiday was turned into entertainment and an occasion for sin. Many do not know that not only can one not bathe in baptismal water, but one cannot even baptize children. Epiphany water, as a great shrine, should be distributed for the consecration of houses, for reverent sprinkling. It can be drunk with prayer and reverence. Usually drink it on an empty stomach, but in special occasions you can drink holy water and eat: under emergency circumstances, under terrible temptations, and also according to tradition on the very day of the holiday.
Here is what we read in table book clergyman, published at the end of the 20th century:
“The consecration of water for Baptism is one of the most important parts of the service, which has the deepest connection with the Sacrament itself. The importance of these prayers is evidenced by the fact that even in the abbreviated rite of Baptism “fear for the sake of death”, where the rite of the prohibition of evil spirits and the Creed are omitted, the prayer for the blessing of water is preserved.
It is water that reveals to us the meaning of Baptism. In prayers and actions during the consecration of water for Baptism, all aspects of the Sacrament are revealed, its connection with the world and matter, with life in all its manifestations is shown. Water is the oldest religious symbol. From a Christian point of view, three main aspects of this symbolism seem important. First, water is the primary cosmic element. At the beginning of creation, "...the Spirit of God hovered over the waters" (Genesis 1:2). At the same time, it is a symbol of destruction and death. The basis of life, life-giving force and the basis of death, destructive force: this is the dual image of water in Christian theology. And finally, water is a symbol of purification, rebirth and renewal. This symbolism pervades everything. Holy Bible, is included in the story of creation, the fall and salvation. We meet water at the very beginning of the book of Genesis, where it signifies creation itself, the Cosmos. When “the Lord saw that the corruption of men on earth was great and that all the thoughts and thoughts of their hearts were evil at all times...” (Gen. 6:5), He brought down His righteous wrath on people and washed away their sins in the waters global flood. The Lord commanded Moses to set up a laver in the tabernacle and fill it with water to wash the hands and feet of the high priest before making sacrifices to God. Like a sign of completion Old Testament and the beginning of the New, St. John the Baptist called the people to repentance and cleansing from sins in the waters of the Jordan. And the Lord Jesus Christ Himself sanctified water element having received baptism from John...
The use of Epiphany water during Baptism, as well as holy water in general, is allowed only in cases where the use of even unconsecrated water is allowed, that is, during the Baptism of infants by laity fear for the sake of death.
That is, even for the Baptism of infants, the water of the great hagiasma cannot be used except in the most extreme cases, when it is impossible to bless ordinary water for the Sacrament of Baptism. A baby cannot be baptized in it, but drunk uncles can swim in it?!
According to your faith it will be to you. But it is impossible to test, to tempt the Lord your God. We cannot risk the health of our children and our own health in the hope that God will save us if we act insanely. How many people got heart attacks from a sharp immersion in ice water, how many children got pneumonia due to hypothermia! The enemy of the human race, the devil, tries to take out the inner spiritual saving essence from everything that is good, ecclesiastical, holy, replacing it with an external, empty one that has no connection with the Lord Jesus Christ and the eternal salvation of the soul. It seems that they celebrated Easter by going to the cemetery and drinking vodka there, but in fact they only sinned and did not even remember the Risen Christ. It seems that they celebrated Epiphany by plunging into the icy water with booms and screams, but in fact they did not remember about the cleansing of the soul from sin and treated the holy water of the great shrine without any reverence. It seems that the new year was joyfully met - but they did not remember that New Year from the Nativity of Christ, that one should rejoice not at a change in the number in the calendar of one's gadget, but at the Incarnation of the Son of God, who descended from Heaven for us and our salvation...
“If a person plunges into the Epiphany hole,
let this be a symbol of renewal for him."
- In our Russian tradition, immersion in holy springs is generally very common, and at any time of the year. And spring water is always cold, all year round The temperature is around 4 degrees. This is a kind of folk asceticism, when a Russian Orthodox person visiting Holy place, certainly plunges into the source - he tries to come into contact with the shrine as closely as possible. On the day of Theophany, we remember the Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and someone also plunges into the newly consecrated hole in order to completely plunge into the image of the Savior.
Of course, swimming in the hole is not an indispensable part of the Feast of Epiphany. The church charter does not specifically prescribe this. This is an established pious custom, so there is no need to reproach those who are not used to winter swimming and are afraid to plunge into ice water. After all, the main purpose of holy water is to drink it little by little, to sprinkle your home, holy water should contribute to our spiritual life. Having brought holy water from the temple, it is necessary to sprinkle all the rooms with it, and then in the morning with a prayer to drink on an empty stomach and take it as a blessing from God. This is important, and not taking a shower on the day of Epiphany or an indispensable immersion in an ice hole.
Health needs to be taken into account different people. After all, Christ was baptized not in the Russian winter hole, but in the warmer Jordan. How to be? If a Christian with poor health, for example, with a sick heart, plunges into an ice hole, for whom the very immersion in an ice hole is not a very useful stress, then my personal attitude to this will, perhaps, be twofold. Or, as they say, “according to your faith, let it be done to you” - and for the faith of the immersed, the Lord will protect him from unwanted manifestations of the disease, and perhaps even heal him. Or, if you do not have strong faith, then, as they say, “do not tempt the Lord your God”, do not take on feats that do not correspond to your strengths.
There are people who don't go to church very often, don't go to confession and don't receive communion, but at Baptism they always plunge into the hole. Sometimes they say that such immersion washes away all sins from a person. It must be remembered that all sins from a person are washed away only in two cases - in the sacrament of Baptism, when a person enters the Church and is baptized in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and during the sacrament of Confession, which, by the way, is called the second baptism. However, it is already good that unchurched people honor the church holiday at least in this way. Perhaps this serves as some kind of preliminary step on the path to a serious church life, and so far they are limited to such a tangible external form of communion with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord through immersion in the hole.
If a person plunges into an ice-hole on the day of Baptism, then let this be a symbol of renewal for him, so that after that he will try to lead life as Christ commanded, so that the accepted immersion becomes a new incentive to follow the Savior in all the ways of his life. And just as you are not afraid to plunge into an ice hole, just as do not be afraid to change your life from sin to virtue, do not be afraid to come to the temple, confess your secret sins, refrain from what defiles our soul - and then you will accept from the Lord Jesus Christ genuine renewal and joy of life.
Very soon, already on January 19, Orthodox Christians will celebrate one of the main church holidays - the Baptism of the Lord. in the minds ordinary people, even those who are far from believing in God, this celebration is associated with bathing in fonts, which are usually cut through in open reservoirs. But is this ritual obligatory? With this question, the correspondent of the portal site turned to the rector of the Khabarovsk Transfiguration Cathedral, Archpriest Georgy Sivkov.
Bathing in the hole for Epiphany is not a mandatory ritual
- Tell us about the traditions of the celebration of the Epiphany. Where did it all start?
- The tradition has been going on since the first centuries of Christianity. Celebrated by prayerful communion with the Lord. Initially, the Nativity of Christ and the Baptism of the Lord were celebrated on the same day, although the difference between these events is 30 years. Later they were separated, and the time interval between us was called Christmas time. Each of these holidays was preceded and is now preceded by a one-day fast - Christmas Eve. We need it in order to reverently prepare ourselves for the meeting of these events from the life of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In general, any church holiday is based on some individual examples from the life of the Lord, mother of God or saints. All this is connected with the salvation of man. The Baptism of the Lord is remembered for us by the fact that Jesus Christ showed us an example of accepting this sacrament. He did not need the washing away of sins, since he himself was sinless, but he did it out of obedience to the law and the rules of God. With his nature, the Lord sanctified the water and now his followers have the opportunity to touch him.
If a person does not believe in God, but at the same time takes part in the baptismal ablution, will he feel any changes in himself?
If you take water or be baptized in Jordan without faith in the Lord, then a person will not feel any purification spiritually. If there is faith, then together with the water he receives the grace of God. For a Christian, this can be a new starting point, because behind him he leaves everything that was before. Epiphany water is connected with God's grace, but I repeat, it is accepted only when a person believes.
Tell me, is it necessary to plunge into the cold Jordan, equipped on the river or some other body of water, at the Epiphany of the Lord?
No, it's just a folk tradition that has entered our lives. AT church rules there are no regulations on bathing on the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord. Everything needs to be approached in a certain reasonable degree. But the church goes to meet the desires of people, but at the same time explaining what framework is necessary for observing reverence for holy water.
The church is against any outdoor pools being consecrated. Such requests come regularly. We explain that no entertainment or mass bathing should take place when the ordinance is performed. It is necessary to treat the holiday with respect.
- Are there human actions on this holiday that the church does not encourage?
It is not allowed to approach the sacrament of Baptism while intoxicated. Bathing just for the sake of boasting to acquaintances or friends is also condemned. In our country, often the first thing people do after dipping is photographs in social networks spread. This is some kind of vanity.
- How to properly approach ablution?
You need to tune in that you are making an impromptu sacrifice to God, committing small feat. Good thoughts are important. It is in this mood that it is important to go into the water. It is advisable to avoid swimming in swimming trunks or bathing suits - it is advisable to put on a special long christening shirt. They are used for ablutions in holy springs, for example.
Before entering the water, you need to cross yourself one or three times, read a prayer. More knowledgeable people can sing the troparion to the Baptism of the Lord. But all this is a personal desire. Actually none strict rules does not exist - only tradition.
- The opinion was firmly established among the people that bathing on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord cleanses from sins. Is it so?
No, it's not. There are the sacraments of repentance and confession, to which a Christian, if he desires and corrects his life, must resort. A man in the presence of a priest asks God for forgiveness, and he reads a permissive prayer over him. This is how they receive forgiveness of sins. Of course, we personally must turn to God. But to enter the water and you immediately removed all the sins, then there is no such thing. This is not possible without repentance.
- If a person wants to take a bath, but the hole in the river is not for him, then where else can this be done?
Some temples have their own closed fonts. For example, in the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Savior, it will be freely available on holidays. Most often, people come with children or those who, for health reasons, are not suitable for swimming in an open cold water.
- Do the clergy themselves necessarily plunge into the open Jordan on a holiday?
Well, speaking of me, then recent years Three I didn't do it, but before that it was. In general, many priests do not dip and did not dip at all. In general, it is not customary for us to ask about this - this is a personal matter for everyone.
- Is it possible to dip in Jordan before it is officially consecrated?
- Well, after all, the main thing is worship. This is the sacrament of confession and communion, and the font is only an addition. And it’s so easy to come and swim ... well, let them swim. But this is unlikely to apply to the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. We must still think that the church is not only mass bathing and the consecration of eggs for Easter - this is all secondary. If you stop there, you will never get close to God.
On the day of Epiphany, many people collect water in open reservoirs and sometimes even use it. Do you somehow warn your parishioners against such actions?
In general, we do not recommend drinking such water. This liquid is suitable for a maximum of sprinkling anything. Open reservoirs are now quite dirty. drinking water You can take a donation in the temples. For example, this year we will import liquid from artesian well, consecrate it and bottle it.
- If you can voice it, then what is the amount of donations for the water that you pour in the temple?
In fact, we include in the amount of donations just enough to recoup the costs - there can be no talk of profit. Delivery of water and the bottles in which we pour it are not cheap. If at all people are interested, then I would like to say that we are completely self-sufficient - we do not receive any subsidies from the state.
We live only on donations. If they don't exist, then there won't be a church. For example, in our one cathedral in winter, we pay more than 200,000 rubles a month for heat supply. An impressive amount also comes out for electricity - and 50 and 60 thousand rubles sometimes. In addition, people work in the temple - everyone who serves it should receive a salary.
Christmas and New Year's time, lasting from January 7 to January 19, as a rule, ends with the most important Christian holiday - the Epiphany of the Lord. And swimming in the hole- not the most important action on this day, although it is an integral part of the celebration, the main thing is the realization that at that time the Lord Jesus Christ himself was baptized on the Jordan River. Therefore, it is important to visit the temple on January 18 (in the evening) and on January 19 (in the morning). 
The presence at the service is necessary in order to confess and take communion, as well as to take holy water with you.
It is believed that the water in all rivers and reservoirs is consecrated these days and can retain its healing properties throughout the year.
Since bathing at Epiphany has become an integral tradition of celebrating this church holiday, this should be done carefully so that dipping in the hole is as safe and useful as possible, especially for those who this year have decided to take such a serious step for the first time.
When to bathe at Epiphany? This action should be performed on January 18 after the evening church service and on the night of January 18 to January 19, as well as during the day on January 19 (access to the cold water fonts is open all day).
Swimming in the hole: 5 basic rules
How to bathe in Epiphany if the final decision was made to plunge into the ice water? Experts talk about several basic rules that you should remember and follow when entering the hole:
1.Quickly enter the water
How faster man plunges his body into an ice hole, the less likely it will be to get hypothermia.
2. Be in ice water for no more than 20 seconds
If dipping into an ice hole occurs for the first time, it should be remembered that you should be in ice water for at least 10 seconds so that blood can flow to the heart and then move back. But it should last no longer than 20 seconds.
3.After leaving - do not wipe yourself
Rubbing in the cold after ice water can damage the small vessels of the skin.
4.Quick enough to get dressed
Clothing that will be worn after swimming should have a minimum number of buttons, fasteners and zippers.
5. Run after dipping
In order for the body to warm up quickly after you get out of the hole and get dressed, you can go for a run or any simple physical exercises.
How to bathe at Epiphany: common mistakes
Especially for beginners, it will be useful to know what mistakes should not be made when diving in ice water:
It is also worth remembering that diving into the hole is not allowed for those who have serious illnesses, children under six years of age, as well as pregnant women. The temperature difference during dipping can seriously weaken the immune system and cause unpredictable consequences.
There are no church prohibitions on visiting the bath on this holiday. These days, water from any source acquires healing power and is considered sacred throughout the year. 
If you visit the bathing procedures on the Epiphany of the Lord, and then plunge into cool water, these actions on such a day will be absolutely appropriate and beneficial for the body.
The main thing is not to drink alcohol before and after bath procedures, as well as adhere to the basic rules of dipping in ice water.
It should also be remembered that Epiphany bathing in the hole requires advance preparation! It is not enough to believe in the healing power of water and expect a miracle from God, while neglecting your own health.
Without special training, such a procedure can cause significant harm to the body, which will entail irreversible consequences for health in general.
The day of Baptism is called Theophany, because, according to the Gospel, at the time of the baptism of Jesus Christ in the waters of the Jordan, God was revealed in three forms - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. There is a strict fast on Christmas Eve. The popular tradition swim on this day in special ice holes - "Jordans". By folk tradition, on Baptism, believers plunge into the hole, making the sign of the cross three times and saying a prayer to the Trinity.
But not everyone can swim!
Just one argument in favor of swimming in ice water. The body really gets a hardening effect, and that's it.
Before swimming in ice water without special training and the experience of hardening, it is necessary to measure the pressure, because instead of the expected grace, you can get complications.
The main dangers of swimming in ice water: heart attack due to vasospasm, convulsions, fast development pneumonia. Bathing is strictly contraindicated for people with cardiovascular diseases, bronchopulmonary, gynecological diseases, diabetes, hypertension, epilepsy and a tendency to convulsions, inflammation of the kidneys, diseases thyroid gland, infectious diseases. Doctors categorically forbid children to swim in the cold, as young children have an imperfect thermoregulation system.
However, by folk beliefs, all water on the night of January 19 becomes holy even from a tap. However, most believers will still come to churches these days to stock up on consecrated baptismal water. People believe that it helps with illnesses; they drink it to add spiritual strength and health, they consecrate their homes with it. Also, it stays very fresh. for a long time even in closed containers.
It is believed that if you plunge into the hole with true faith, then a person will not get sick. However it is worth listening to the advice of experienced. And the most main advice A: Do not drink alcohol. And not only because it contradicts the very essence of the Christian holiday, but also because it can end very badly. Here are just a few tips and observations from experienced people:
« The most important advice: do not drink before and after bathing. And if you go to crowded places, it is advisable to have a friend with a car to change clothes (if there are no organized changing cabins nearby).”
“Vodka is the worst enemy of cold baths. It is almost impossible to get sick if everything is done correctly.
“This is a religious holiday, alcohol categorically contradicts the whole concept of the holiday on this day. This has been repeatedly discussed, moreover, by the clergy themselves. Alcohol greatly dulls the instinct of self-preservation, and this can end sadly!
Most full rules for swimming in the hole at Epiphany published on the Internet by a user [email protected] Here it is:
Rule one: test your body for medical contraindications. Doctors categorically object to bathing in the hole at Epiphany if there are a number of health problems. In particular, cardiovascular diseases; diabetes, glaucoma, conjunctivitis; peptic ulcer stomach, enterocolitis, cholecystitis and others. ALWAYS get tested!
On a note! Those who have suffered heart disease are strictly forbidden to plunge into ice water.
Before bathing, it is advisable not to be full. After bathing, do not drink fatty broth.
Rule two:
for swimming in the hole at Epiphany you need choose the right place. The ideal hole for swimming in the hole for Epiphany is:
- a verified place (preferably organized, not a rural pond at midnight);
- the depth of the font should not exceed 1.8 meters;
- the font must be fenced (to prevent accidental falling into the water).
Rule three: don't forget the outfit! You will need: a swimsuit or swimming trunks, a towel and bathrobe, set of dry clothes. Take some shoes with you so as not to walk barefoot on the ice - this is far from being possible for everyone. But keep in mind that slippers should not be on rubber soles - it slips. You can take thick woolen socks, walk to the hole in them, and swim in them. After bathing, you need to change into dry clothes.
Rule four: Warm up before swimming but not up to a sweat. The body should be hot, but not sweaty.
Rule five: Orthodox tradition implies three dipping into the hole with the head. But keep in mind that bathing in the hole at Epiphany is not a canon, but a tradition. That is, it will not be a sin if you save your head, knowing that with wet hair in the cold - not a big gift (especially if you go to the other end of the city public transport). ALWAYS wrap your head if you are not in your own car.
Rule six: beware of euphoria! Many people, having plunged into the water, experience a surge of irrepressible joy, which provokes them to stay in the water for five minutes. Keep in mind that this attack of joy is not the grace of God, but the result of the most difficult chemical reactions occurring in the body under the influence of cold. Lingering in the water under the influence of endorphins, you risk your health.
Rule seven: warm up after swimming! Rub yourself with a towel, get dressed quickly. And drink something hot (prepaid raspberry tea, for example).
Rule eight: no alcohol before swimming ! And the maximum that you can afford after is a little church Cahors (on our website). It is widely believed that alcohol warms the body. But this is only in the first half hour after taking, then the opposite effect occurs, fraught with serious colds.
Rule nine: trust your body! And if looking at cold water terrifies you, think again: is it worth it?
Rule ten: do not enter the water without prayer, because it is primarily a rite of purification.
Let it be short (“Our Father”, for example), let it be in your own words, but turn to God on this day with words coming from the very heart. And before you go into the water, talk to her. Water is a special informational entity on any day of the year. And at Epiphany she is really alive. Ask her to cleanse you of the old, unnecessary and fill you with light and purity!”
However, many believers believe that you can plunge into Baptism in any water - not necessarily in an ice hole! The main thing is faith!
January 19 is one of the most significant Christian holidays, and many do not think of it without personal participation - that is, immersion in icy Epiphany water in special ice holes. In Russia, it is customary to sanctify water at Epiphany, including on natural reservoirs, for which a cruciform hole is cut in the ice - the Jordan. Previously, first of all, those who participated in Christmas divination and masquerading - to wash away sins. It was also believed that evil spirits, who freely walked the earth all Christmas time, were leaving for Jordan. The water consecrated in Baptism is considered healing. The clergy wear white robes for this holiday.
It is believed that baptismal water brings spiritual and bodily health; about 600,000 people take part in Epiphany bathing in Russia on January 18 and 19 during the day.
In all churches, the "great consecration of water" is performed. According to church canons, on Epiphany Christmas Eve, a believer must come to church, defend the service, light a candle, collect blessed water. But no one requires to plunge into ice water, especially if a person is not ready for this.
There are no hard and fast rules on how to bathe at Epiphany. But, according to custom, bathing is three times immersion in water with the head. At the same time, the believer is baptized and says "In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit!" Usually, long shirts are sewn for swimming, in which a dive is made, like baptismal ones. They are the same for men and women. It is believed that if the parishioners dress in bathing suits, then the bodies on display are dissonant with traditional Christian decency.
Immersion in ice water severe stress. The adrenal glands react sharply and powerfully to it, throwing into the blood a large dose of potent anti-inflammatory hormones, which are normally released a little bit at a time. They inhibit all inflammatory reactions by simply “suppressing” the immune system, helping to endure cold, and adapt the body to endure stress.
If you properly prepare for a dive, a person with average health will endure a one-time dive without difficulty. But if he is at least a little weakened, in three or four days you will have to pay for your courage.
Before diving into the hole, you should not drink alcohol - alcohol will only help to quickly hypothermia and give an extra load on the heart. You should not swim for more than one and a half minutes, also dive with your head.
Before diving, be sure to consult a doctor. For people with diabetes, arrhythmia, kidney problems, women with gynecological diseases, it is better to forget about the hole. Hypertension patients can have a stroke.
A week before diving, it is better to start preparing the body for frost. The first 3-4 days it is enough to go out on the balcony for a minute in shorts and a T-shirt. In the remaining days - add douche cold water. Enough one or two (in the last two days) basins of cold water.
Also, a week before swimming in the ice hole, citrus fruits, herbs, rose hips and other foods rich in vitamin C should be excluded from the diet - it stimulates the immune system, and it is not necessary to stimulate the immune system more than the act of immersion does: it will be too much, the immune system will “fall” greatly . Two hours before diving, you must definitely eat a hearty meal, that is, provide the body with “fuel”. In cold water, the body will quickly spend all its resources on heating, and not a single kilocalorie will be superfluous.
Clothing and footwear should be easy and quick to put on and take off. Dress properly. Ideally, clothes should not have fasteners at all, in extreme cases - a “zipper”. It will be problematic to fasten buttons in the cold, and even more so to tie shoelaces. Also, take a mat. You can stand on it, wiping yourself and changing clothes. The hat must be put on immediately after leaving the water.
Immediately after washing, you need to rub yourself with a terry towel and rush to a warm room. You can not be on the ice with a large crowd of people, and it is strictly forbidden to drive onto the ice by car.
Not all weather is suitable for swimming. The ideal temperature for beginners is 2 to 5 degrees below zero. You can take the risk of diving even in a harder frost, but -10 ° C is a dangerous threshold for a person trying to dive into an ice hole for the first time. You should enter the water warm and gradually. This makes it easier to bear the cold. To warm up before the procedure, you can run for several minutes, squat, do active movements. You need to enter the water slowly, at an average pace: if it is slow, you can freeze, and if it is fast, then you may experience fear, severe stress, pulse and pressure rise sharply, take your breath away. Going up to your knees, you need to rinse your face with water, wash your face. This will also prepare the body for full immersion.
You should swim in specially equipped ice holes near the shore, preferably near rescue stations, under the supervision of lifeguards. The ice hole should be well cleared of ice fragments so as not to slip and not get hurt, and to make it easier to get out. It is desirable that she has a ladder or a shallow area for easy exit from the water. You should never dive alone in case you need help. Refrain from swimming if you have diseased heart. Remember that exposure to ice water of unhardened people can lead to general hypothermia of the body. At its first signs - chills, trembling, cyanosis skin, lips, pain in the fingers and toes - a person already needs to be helped. No need to sit in the hole until you get goosebumps. Chills are a sign that the body has begun to overcool. As soon as this is felt, immediately you need to get out of the water. On average, it is enough to stay in the water for 10 seconds - you can just dip three times, as it should be according to tradition.
With a mild degree of hypothermia, it is enough to dress the victim warmly, drink hot tea and force them to perform intense physical exercises. With moderate and severe hypothermia - grind woolen cloth, massage the whole body. Then dress warmly, put to bed. Warming should be gradual so that there is no sharp drop temperatures.
Do not go out onto the ice unnecessarily, do not leave children unattended near a river or pond, make sure that the ice you go on is strong enough.