Learn: in this unit, you're going to dive into some important vocabulary related to safety on ice and water. Whether you're skating on a frozen lake, enjoying a day at the beach, or simply exploring a river, understanding the right safety terms can help keep you safe. You'll learn about potential dangers, safety equipment, and key actions to take in emergencies.
Word bank:
wave — [weɪv] — a movement of water caused by wind or other factors, sometimes hazardous for swimmers; vilnis
As the storm raged, wave after wave pounded the rocky cliffs, sending mist high into the air like an oceanic roar.
tide — [taɪd] — the regular rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun; plūdmaiņas (paisums un bēgums)
The tide is like the ocean’s rhythm, rising higher onto the beach at some times and pulling back into the sea at others.
current — [ˈkʌr.ənt] — the continuous movement of water in a specific direction; straume
The river's current was strong, pulling sticks and leaves downstream with a steady, powerful flow.
rip current — [ˈrɪp ˌkʌr.ənt] — a narrow, fast-moving water current that can pull swimmers away from the shore; bīstamā, ievelkošā straume
Swimmers were warned to stay close to the shore because a dangerous rip current could pull them quickly out to deeper water.
shoreline — [ˈʃɔː.laɪn] — the edge of a body of water where it meets the land; plūdu līnija
The children ran along the shoreline, where the waves gently lapped at the edge of the sand, leaving shimmering trails of foam.
drown — [draʊn] — when someone suffocates in water due to an inability to breathe; slīkt
He knew how to swim well, but the strong current almost caused him to drown before the lifeguard reached him in time.
lifeguard — [ˈlaɪf.ɡɑːd] — a trained person who watches over people in or near water to prevent accidents and help in emergencies; glābējs
The lifeguard blew his whistle and dived into the water, swimming quickly to rescue a struggling swimmer caught in the waves.
whistle — [ˈwɪs.əl] — a device often used by lifeguards to signal or get attention in emergencies; svilpe
The lifeguard blew her whistle sharply, warning the swimmers to clear the water as a storm approached.
buoy — [bɔɪ] — a floating marker in the water, often indicating safe or dangerous areas; boja
The bright orange buoy bobbed in the water, marking the spot where swimmers should stay within the safe zone.
life jacket — [ˈlaɪf ˌdʒæk.ɪt] — a piece of equipment, like a jacket without sleeves, that is filled with air or light material and is designed to help you float if you fall into water; glābšanas veste
Before heading out on the boat, the captain reminded everyone to put on their life jackets for safety.
lifebelt (also: lifebuoy) — [ˈlaɪf.belt] — a piece of equipment, usually a ring filled with air or light material that floats, designed to help you float if you fall into water; glābšanas rinķis
The lifeguard threw a lifebelt to the swimmer who was caught in the rip current, pulling them to safety.
rescue boat — [ˈrɛs.kju boʊt] — a boat used for saving people from the water; glābšanas laiva
When the storm hit, the rescue boat rushed into the choppy waters to save the stranded sailors.
throw bag — [θroʊ bæg] — a bag containing a rope that can be thrown to someone in the water; glābšanas pludiņš
The lifeguard quickly tossed the throw bag to the swimmer in trouble, allowing him to grab the rope and be pulled to safety.
first aid kit — [ˌfɜːst ˈeɪd ˌkɪt] — a box or bag containing basic medical equipment such as bandages and antiseptic cream; pirmās palīdzības komplekts
The lifeguard reached for the first aid kit as soon as a swimmer scraped their leg on the rocky shore, ready to treat the wound.
thin ice — [θɪn aɪs] — ice that is not thick or strong enough to safely support weight, posing a risk of breaking and falling through; plāns ledus
The warning signs advised against walking on the frozen pond, as the thin ice could crack and send someone plunging into the cold water below.
clear ice — [klɪər aɪs] — transparent or blue ice, generally stronger and safer than other types; dzidrs, caurspīdīgs ledus
The clear ice on the lake was so smooth and perfect for skating that it looked like a giant glass mirror reflecting the winter sky.
black ice — [blæk aɪs] — thin, transparent ice on roads; very slippery and dangerous for driving or walking; melnais ledus
The roads were dangerously covered in black ice, making it nearly impossible to see, and causing cars to skid out of control.
cold shock — [koʊld ʃɑk] — the body's reaction to sudden cold immersion, which can lead to rapid breathing or shock; šoks, kas var rasties, esot ilgāku laiku aukstumā
As soon as he plunged into the icy lake, the cold shock hit him like a jolt of electricity, leaving him breathless and struggling to swim.
keep off — [kiːp ɒf] — to avoid something; izvairīties, nekāpt virsū, neiet klāt
The sign near the cliff edge read "Keep off," warning visitors to stay back from the dangerous drop.
test — [test] — a way of discovering, by questions or practical activities, what someone knows, or what someone or something can do or is like; pārbaudīt, pārbaude
He carefully tapped his foot on the frozen pond to test the ice, listening for any cracks before venturing further.
fall through — [fɔːl θruː] — a situation where someone falls through a thin or unstable surface, such as ice or a broken floor; ielūzt
As he stepped onto the thin ice, it suddenly cracked beneath him, and he began to fall through the freezing water below.
thermal blanket — [ˌθɜː.məl ˈblæŋ.kɪt] — a type of cover made of or covered with a very thin sheet of metal, used for keeping people warm in emergency situations; termo sega
After the rescue, the paramedics wrapped the cold, shivering hiker in a thermal blanket to help raise his body temperature and protect him from hypothermia.
Atsauce:
Picture "Rip Current" – Emagnetic / Shutterstock.com
Picture "Kid covered in a thermal blanket"– punghi / Shutterstock.com
Picture "Firefighters" – TLF / Shutterstock.com
Picture "Rescurers on a boat" – Tommy Larey / Shutterstock.com
Picture "Kid covered in a thermal blanket"– punghi / Shutterstock.com
Picture "Firefighters" – TLF / Shutterstock.com
Picture "Rescurers on a boat" – Tommy Larey / Shutterstock.com