In a shocking video, a father was seen dropping his one-year-old son into a -30C ice plunge. The footage, which has been circulating on Russian social media, shows 31-year-old dad Radmir Gaysarov lowering his 16-month-old child into a Siberian ice hole.
While some parents praised the father for toughening up his son, medical professionals expressed concerns about the health risks associated with exposing a young child to such extreme conditions. The incident occurred in temperatures as low as -30C, with the water temperature just above freezing point.
Ice swimming, believed by many Russians to have health benefits even for infants, has sparked a debate on parenting practices. One parent commented approvingly on the video, stating, “This is how to toughen up our children,” while another expressed interest in teaching their own child similar practices.
Following the dip in Surgut, the child was awarded a ‘Walrus’ medal by a club of ice swimmers. In the video, the father can be heard praising his son, Martin, who remained composed during the icy immersion.
Despite the positive reception from some individuals, healthcare professionals cautioned against subjecting young children to extreme cold temperatures. Rita Pikhtovnikova, a Russian paediatric cardiologist, highlighted the stress that such exposure can place on a child’s developing cardiovascular system.
The incident has raised concerns about the importance of gradual and supervised ice exposure, as recommended by health guidelines. Dr. Galina Slobodina, a general practitioner, emphasized that children of this age should not be subjected to extreme cold conditions for the sake of “cold hardening,” stressing the parents’ responsibility for their child’s well-being.