June 10, 2023, 3:17 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
When it’s hot, lakes and beaches in the country get crowded. However, some swimming spots should be approached with caution. It’s also wise to follow basic swimming rules.
In the summer heat, any way to cool off is welcome. But some swimming spots pose significant dangers, warns the German Life Saving Association (DLRG).
Overview
Where swimming dangers lurk
Quarry Lakes
Quarry lakes often have very shallow shores, then the ground suddenly drops steeply into the depths. Martin Holzhause, spokesperson for the DLRG, warns: “You walk in and suddenly you’re underwater.” This can endanger inexperienced and poor swimmers. Water temperatures in a quarry lake can also vary greatly. “On the surface, it’s 82 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit due to the sun, and just 31 inches deeper, it can suddenly be 10 to 12 degrees cooler. This can lead to cramps.”
Rivers
Their danger lies in the water’s flow speed and shipping traffic. “Swimming in the Rhine or other federal waterways is like playing with children on the highway,” says the expert.
Sea
The expert often observes that people swim too far from the shore and then struggle to return to the beach. His advice: “Along the coast, it’s better to swim parallel to the shore rather than straight out.”
Also interesting: Avoid cramps while swimming and what to do in an emergency
Swimming in open water – important rules
Generally, you should swim where there is a lifeguard. If there isn’t one and you’re alone, choose a spot where others are present–so someone notices if you get into trouble.
The most important swimming rules in open water:
- Only swim at supervised swimming spots
- Never swim when a red flag is flying!
- Never let children play in or near water unsupervised
Children Often Drown Right in Front of Their Parents
At what age should children ideally learn to swim?
Gradually acclimate to cold water
Martin Holzhause also sees a problem in the fact that simple and generally known swimming rules are not followed–sometimes with severe consequences.
Running into cold water when overheated is not a good idea. “The body warms up while sunbathing, the blood vessels expand–and then suddenly contract when you jump into the water,” Holzhause explains. “This can lead to unconsciousness or a heart attack, and thus to drowning. Seniors, in particular, should gradually acclimate to the water.” This can be done by first dipping your feet or arms into the cool water.
Also interesting: Can you not go into the water for half an hour after eating?
It’s also better not to swim on an empty stomach–this is especially true for people with diabetes. It can lead to hypoglycemia, which is life-threatening.
Important swimming rules can be read in various languages at the DLRG–and dialects! So: Get informed and have a laugh!
Also interesting: First aid in 5 easy steps
Preventing swimming accidents involving children
According to the DLRG, drowning is the cause of more than 20 percent of fatal accidents involving children. On Children’s Safety Day on June 20, DLRG President Ute Vogt urges caution: “Be aware of the dangers that lurk, especially in the warm season, and stay alert.” This appeal is mainly directed at parents and supervisors. Whether it’s a swimming pool, river, garden pool, or rain barrel–they can all quickly become deadly traps if children with insufficient swimming skills play there unsupervised.
The attention of supervisors is even more crucial, considering that fewer and fewer boys and girls can swim. A Forsa survey from 2022 showed: One in five elementary school children cannot swim at all–twice as many as in 2017. At age ten, almost 60 percent of students are not safe swimmers. A safe swimmer is someone who meets the requirements for the Bronze swimming badge. The Seepferdchen badge is not enough!
Also interesting: What you need to know for each swimming badge
Since not every child currently gets a spot in swimming courses, even though it could save lives, we point out the most important DLRG rules here that can reduce the dangers for children when swimming:
- Swim only at supervised swimming spots and heed warning signs
- Proactively identify danger points and locations
- Never take your eyes off small children in or near water and stay within reach–even if they are wearing flotation devices like vests or water wings
- Familiarize children with water as early as possible: Children can learn to swim from the age of five. Before that, they should learn skills and knowledge for safe behavior in and around water
- Even in/around your own home, water can lead to drowning–even in very shallow water, such as in the bathtub or kiddie pool
- Secure rain barrels and similar containers with lockable lids
- Secure swimming pools and garden ponds with protective grilles or other devices like fences with lockable gates
- Hazards also exist outside your own property. The nearby stream or neighbor’s fish pond attracts children. Unsupervised access should not be possible!