DLRG: Most drowning deaths preventable with more education

The German Life Saving Association (DLRG) is urging for increased public education on water safety, estimating that the majority of the 99 drowning deaths recorded in June alone were preventable. DLRG President Ute Vogt emphasized that while anyone can be at risk, these accidents could be avoided with greater awareness. She called for a "broad public awareness campaign" to address the issue, noting that the responsibility for public education currently falls on the DLRG and other water rescue organizations. The association highlighted the need for better information about the dangers of various bodies of water. Vogt suggested that municipalities could collaborate with water rescue organizations to expand supervised swimming areas and install safety equipment at unsupervised locations. She also pointed to potential within schools, where rescuers visit around 2,000 kindergartens and primary schools annually, stressing the importance of discussing water dangers and safe behavior with older students before the summer holidays. The DLRG president urged the federal government to contribute through national information campaigns, contrasting Germany's approach with countries like Sweden, Great Britain, and the Netherlands, which have established state-level drowning reduction targets. "Unfortunately, something like this has not yet been an issue at the state level in Germany," Vogt stated. The DLRG identifies weak and non-swimmers as particularly vulnerable. To improve their training, the association calls for the renovation or construction of swimming pools, increased staffing in existing pools, and more qualified swimming instructors for school-based lessons.

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To do something about it, a broad public awareness campaign is necessary.