10,000 DLRG Lifeguards Fortify Water Safety in North Rhine-Westphalia this Summer
Swift Surveillance: 10,000 Lifeguards Vigilantly Patrol North Rhine-Westphalia - Over 9,000 lifeguards ensuring safety during summer in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW)
The German Life Saving Association (DLRG) deploys nearly 10,000 volunteer lifeguards across North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) this summer to ensure the safety of swimmers and water sports enthusiasts. The number of lifeguards has grown for the third consecutive year, surpassing 9,500, as announced by the DLRG.
Lifeguards patrol approximately 200 lakes and rivers in NRW and support pool supervision at nearly 200 swimming pools. The DLRG's primary functions involve righting overturned sailboats, administering first aid, searching for missing individuals, and responding to emergencies involving people in distress in the water.
Drowning accidents have occurred even in unguarded rivers and lakes, with at least 57 fatalities reported in NRW last year, ten more than the previous year. The DLRG aims to raise awareness of such dangers in the future, emphasizing the risks associated with swimming in the Rhine and cold water immersion.
The DLRG in NRW boasts an all-time high membership of over 164,000, a 13,000 increase compared to a decade ago. The increased number of volunteer swimming instructors and lifeguards is partly due to successful recruitment campaigns and public awareness campaigns. Since 2017, youth teams for water service have gained popularity.
In 2024, over 9,100 volunteers were active in swimming instruction. They guided nearly 11,000 children to the 'Seepferdchen' (seahorse) badge, marking the beginning of learning to swim. The DLRG reports that around 21,600 children, young people, and adults successfully passed a swimming badge in NRW.
Lifeguards from NRW also serve on the Northern and Baltic Seas during the summer, providing support to over 100 guarded beach sections between Borkum and Usedom. They receive vacation or holiday cover from the seaside resorts for their services, which include watching for holidaymakers and administering first aid, as needed.
The DLRG, in partnership with local authorities and other emergency services, plays a crucial role in drowning prevention, water safety education, and emergency response at lakes, rivers, pools, and beaches in Germany. Their increasing presence in NRW reflects the growing recognition of the importance of lifeguards for water safety across the region.
The DLRG's community policy expanding vocational training for lifeguards sees a growth in volunteer lifeguards for three consecutive years, now over 10,000. These lifeguards are expected to ensure safety not only in swimming pools and guarded water areas but also during outdoor-living activities like fishing or hiking near rivers and lakes. To this end, the DLRGorganizes vocational training programs focusing on first aid, sports-analysis, and emergency response to raise the competencies of lifeguards to cater to diverse scenario needs. Furthermore, the increased number of lifeguards will contribute to home-and-garden activities, such as building rainwater collection systems, promoting a sustainable lifestyle in line with the DLRG's water safety mission.
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