Trying to save someone from drowning is dangerous; 'It's better to call 112'

Trying to save a drowning person is extremely dangerous and can be fatal for the rescuer, Dutch rescue organizations emphasize. Recent tragic incidents underscore the peril involved when untrained individuals attempt to intervene.

In one recent case, two women drowned off the coast of Callantsoog while attempting to rescue a child. Just a week prior, a Dutch father lost his life in Italy's Lake Como when he tried to save his son who had gotten into trouble in the water.

"They wanted to help someone. That is an instinct. You go for it. But saving someone in the water is difficult, and most people do not know how," said Thomas Steenvoorden, a volunteer with the Royal Dutch Rescue Society (KNRM) in Noordwijk. "You are better off calling 112. They will then connect you to the Rescue Brigade."

Steenvoorden noted that the ability to perform water rescues is no longer part of standard swimming certifications like diploma C, which was common years ago. Acquiring these life-saving skills now requires additional training. Many beachgoers, when asked, admitted they would not know how to perform a water rescue, though some had learned CPR in school. The number of drowning deaths in the Netherlands remains relatively stable, with 132 fatalities reported last year, but a significant portion of these victims are tourists or migrant workers unfamiliar with local waters.