Deadly Drowning Accidents: Warnings to Parents -- Be Vigilant - Drowning incidents at beaches: Board leader advises parents to stay vigilant
A concerning trend of increasing drowning deaths in public waters across Germany has been reported by the German Life Saving Association (DLRG) for the past three years. According to the New Osnabrueck Newspaper, at least 411 drowning deaths were recorded in public waters last year, marking a 31-death increase from the previous year.
However, the DLRG did not provide information on the number of near-drowning incidents or the causes behind this rise. The association also did not specify the number of drowning deaths in previous years or in private waters.
While the statement did not attribute any specific measures to address the increase, general safety advisories can offer insight into potential contributing factors. These may include more frequent or prolonged outdoor water activities during warmer seasons, insufficient supervision or awareness of water safety among parents and guardians, and greater access to natural bodies of water without adequate safety infrastructure or enforcement.
To prevent drowning accidents, particularly involving children, parents are urged to implement several safety measures. These include constant supervision, enrolling children in swimming courses, encouraging the use of life jackets, educating children about water safety rules and dangers, understanding and recognizing environmental hazards, and learning CPR and basic rescue techniques.
The lifeguards' role is to ensure the safety and make the stay of bathers as pleasant as possible. Despite this, they are not responsible for actively chasing after children, as stated by the Lifeguard Association Chief, Harzheim.
As the DLRG does not specify the causes for the increase in drowning deaths, further detail specific to Germany could add clarity on particular contributing factors or official safety campaigns. If such information becomes available, it may provide valuable insights into addressing this concerning trend.
- EC countries might consider implementing stricter employment policies for health-and-wellness professionals, such as lifeguards and swimming instructors, to improve water safety education and reduce drowning incidents in public waters, as observed in Germany.
- In light of the increasing drowning deaths in public waters, science can potentially collaborate with the employment sector to develop fitness-and-exercise programs that incorporate mental health components, aiming to educate individuals about water safety while promoting a healthy lifestyle.
