ZAKA Divers Share Harrowing Rescue Stories and Water Safety Warnings from Israel's Rivers and Reservoirs

The second episode of the national initiative "Project 0" by Kikar HaShabbat features an in-depth interview with Dror Gilat, deputy commander of ZAKA Tel Aviv's diving unit, conducted by rescue diver Moshe Mans. The episode explores the dangers of freshwater bodies in Israel, including rivers, reservoirs, and pools, highlighting the physics of rip currents and slippery plastic liners that cause many drowning incidents.

Dror Gilat, a secular kibbutznik from the Gaza envelope who volunteers extensively to rescue members of the ultra-Orthodox community, explains that many drowning victims are from populations unfamiliar with water safety, such as Haredim and Arabs. He stresses that people often enter quiet-looking water areas without lifeguards, which are deadly traps. Gilat details the rescue unit’s methods, including locating the Last Seen Point (LSP) and using underwater scooters or tethered diving in murky waters to find victims.

One remarkable rescue involved saving a young woman from the raging Yarkon River during winter. The team pulled her from near-drowning, warmed her with floor cloths in the ambulance, and successfully evacuated her alive, marking the first time ZAKA transported a living person in an ambulance. Gilat emphasizes the critical "golden hour" for saving drowning victims, especially in cold water.

When asked why he risks so much for communities he does not belong to, Gilat responds that all families share the same pain and desire to bury their loved ones with dignity. He delivers a stark warning to young men, especially yeshiva students: "The signs saying 'No Swimming' and 'No Entry Without a Lifeguard' are written in blood. If there is no lifeguard, there is no one to save you. Stay safe to prevent tragedies this summer."

The next episode will focus on prevention and feature senior lifeguards and surfers teaching practical swimming and survival skills in Israel’s waters.