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HEALTH

How to stay safe while swimming outdoors in Germany this summer

Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors and cool off in Germany's lakes, rivers, seas and outdoor pools. But it's important to be aware of the potential dangers associated with swimming outside.

A sign at a lake in Bensheim, Hesse, warns swimmers about a steeply sloping bank
A sign at a lake in Bensheim, Hesse, warns swimmers about a steeply sloping bank. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Fredrik von Erichsen

According to the German Life Saving Association (DLRG), the number of drowning incidents is on the rise in Germany, with at least 355 deaths recorded last year alone.

Of these, 308 deaths occurred in inland waters: 47 people drowned in lakes, 105 in rivers, 15 in streams, 22 in ponds, and 19 in canals, according to the DLRG. Swimming pools accounted for 13 fatalities, while 18 people lost their lives in the sea. Bavaria had the highest number of drowning deaths, with 69 reported cases.

These statistics highlight the importance of understanding water safety and taking necessary precautions to prevent accidents and tragedies. We’ve put together some tips to help you stay safe this summer.

Know your limits

If you haven’t been swimming for years and suddenly decide that you fancy trying to swim to the other side of the lake – think again.

According to the DLRG, one of the most common causes of drowning in Germany is overconfidence in the water, combined with poor swimming skills.

READ ALSO: Germany’s top 10 most beautiful summer swimming spots

So it’s really important to stay within your ability when embarking on an outdoor swim: if you can’t swim well, don’t venture out any further than where you are able to stand up.

Knowing your limits also means not drinking alcohol before going into the water, as this can impair your judgment, coordination, and reaction time and significantly increases the risk of accidents.

Follow the signs 

The DLRG strongly advises swimming only at designated and supervised bathing spots and to heed any warning signs. Designated swimming areas undergo regular inspections and have additional safety measures in place to ensure a secure swimming experience.

As a rule of thumb, it’s important to note that if a swimming location does not charge an entrance fee, it is highly likely that there won’t be a lifeguard present.

A sign on a beach in Ingelheim, Rhineland-Palatinate says: “Bathing at your own risk”. Photo: picture alliance / Fredrik Von Erichsen/dpa | Fredrik von Erichsen

Germany follows the Europe-wide beach flag system on its coasts and lakes. Under this system, a red flag indicates a bathing ban – due to dangers such as strong currents, high waves, or water pollution, while a red and yellow flag indicates a designated and supervised bathing area. There are often buoys in place in these areas as well.

An additional yellow flag warns bathers to take increased caution and marks a swimming ban for inexperienced swimmers, older people, and children.

READ ALSO: Travel in Germany: A guide to Berlin’s best lakes

A zone with black and white flags is reserved for water sports and is generally not suitable for swimmers.

As well as looking out for flags, it’s also important to pay attention to signs that warn of area-specific dangers, such as a sudden slope or shallow water. 

Swim with others

The DLRG recommends that, whenever possible, you should swim with a buddy or in groups, as having someone else nearby can provide assistance in case of an emergency.

Be aware of dangers

Jumping or diving into unfamiliar waters is a bad idea, as it’s often difficult to tell how deep a body of water is, which can lead to serious injuries. 

As well as assessing water depth, you should also be mindful of other water activities happening around you, such as boating or jet skiing. Try to avoid crowded areas and maintain a safe distance from boats and other swimmers.

Supervise children

Tragically, in 2022, 20 children between the ages of 0 and 10 died in water in Germany.

Small children and non-swimmers need to be constantly supervised in the water, even if they have flotation aids such as armbands or swim belts and if there are lifeguards around.

The DLRG advice is that children should always be supervised and be within arm’s reach of an adult.

Cool down before jumping in

Jumping into cold water when overheated can put a significant strain on the body – particularly the heart. The sudden temperature difference can potentially cause severe circulatory problems and can lead to drowning.

It’s therefore a good idea to follow cool down a bit first before taking the plunge.

Don’t go swimming with a full stomach

There is a good reason behind the old adage that you shouldn’t go swimming with a full stomach. In the best-case scenario, swimming with a full belly can cause discomfort and side stitches, but in the worst case, it can lead to vomiting and a circulatory collapse. In the water, losing consciousness without a nearby helper can result in drowning.

On the other hand, going swimming hungry also isn’t a good idea. You should make sure that you are suitably fuelled up with food and water so that you have the energy you need to keep afloat. 

Avoid rivers unless you’re a strong swimmer

Rivers are dangerous places to swim and were the sites of the most drownings in Germany last year.

A young man jumps head-first into the Stichkanal in Hannover-Linden, Lower Saxony. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Julian Stratenschulte

Rivers can be full of unexpected dangers, such as tidal currents, debris like branches and underwater obstacles like discarded bicycles. Due to the constant exchange of water, rivers also never warm up as much as lakes, and it can be difficult for the body to adapt to the cold. 

Really, only those who are fit, healthy and experienced swimmers should even think about swimming in a river in Germany. 

Seek shelter during thunderstorms

Always keep a close eye on the weather conditions while swimming outdoors. If a thunderstorm approaches, it’s vital to leave the water immediately.

Swimming during a thunderstorm is extremely dangerous as water can conduct lightning currents, and strong gusts of wind can pose additional risks by propelling branches or other objects through the air. In the sea, storms can generate high waves and strong surf. So if you learn that a storm is approaching, you should leave the water immediately and seek shelter. 

Be careful with inflatables

Buoyancy aids such as inflatable water animals, tyres, water balls and the like are at best toys and not safe aids for bathing and open water swimming.

Three people float on inflatable toys in the sea in Heringsdorf, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/dpa-Zentralbild | Stefan Sauer

In fact, they can actually be very dangerous as they can easily get swept off into deep water. 

Children’s swimming seats are not a good idea for the sea, as they can be life-threatening if, for example, children topple over with them in a wave and are unable to stand up again on their own.

Check the water quality

Besides drowning, there are other dangers lurking in many of Germany’s watery areas. 

Dangers in lakes include the rapid growth of blue-green algae, which produce toxins that can cause various health issues such as nausea, vomiting, and respiratory diseases. In salt and fresh water, a bacteria called vibrios can cause severe wound infections when entering the body through skin injuries, resulting in symptoms like skin blistering, fever, and shock.

READ ALSO: Living in Germany: Making the most of culture and lake life

If you have a swimming spot in mind, you should look up its water quality online beforehand, by searching the name of the lake along with Wasserqualität (water quality). The water quality of open bodies of water is checked regularly from May to September in Germany and most German states will keep an up-to-date map of their local swimming spots and their water quality online.

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INSIDE GERMANY

Inside Germany: ‘Ampel’ makeover and can Euro 2024 bring Germans together?

From how the Euros are providing a sense of relief in Germany amid heightened tensions to a traffic light transformation in Frankfurt and lucky chimney sweeps, here's what we've been talking about this week.

Inside Germany: 'Ampel' makeover and can Euro 2024 bring Germans together?

Inside Germany is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in Germany that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.

The Euros are bringing Germans together – but tension remains 

Whichever way you look at it, it’s been a turbulent few years. In the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, sparking forced migration, an energy crisis and fears over war spreading in Europe. 

In Germany, the cost of living crisis has been gripping residents for years, resulting in increased strike action and protests. Meanwhile, the economy has tanked, support for the coalition government is falling dramatically, division remains over war in the Middle East and the the far-right has climbed in the polls. At the recent European parliament elections, Alternative for Germany (AfD) took second position in the national vote. 

READ ALSO: What do Germany’s far-right gains in EU elections mean for foreigners?

With these unresolved issues, you might think that Germany would struggle to come together to organise the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament this summer.

But so far, Deutschland has been a fantastic host.

The scenes of fans from different countries gathering in German cities and mixing with locals have been joyous to see. 

Games and logistical matters are taking place without any major problems (at least most of the time).

Hammering Scotland 5-1 in the opening game may have brought Germans a much needed boost. Seeing residents from all walks of life huddle around TVs on streets or attend fan zones to cheer on their team has felt like something we’ve all needed after such heavy years. 

Perhaps if the German team goes far, it will unite people even more. 

But the tension is still around. 

A recent survey by broadcaster WDR’s Sport Inside, found that one in five respondents would prefer if the German national team had more “white” players, highlighting racist attitudes. 

It comes after German partygoers were filmed singing “foreigners out!” on the holiday island of Sylt. 

The Euros are providing much-needed light relief in Germany right now – but football won’t fix everything. 

Frankfurt Ampelmann gets makeover

Football figures on the traffic lights in Frankfurt to celebrate Euro 2024.

Football figures on the traffic lights in Frankfurt to celebrate Euro 2024. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Andreas Arnold

Football fever is gripping the nation – and Frankfurt has updated its traffic lights or Ampeln to to celebrate

Anyone walking through central Frankfurt might spot the Ampelmann (traffic light man) giving a red card or kicking the ball – depending on the colour. 

German cities are known for their unusual traffic light figures. 

The most famous are the Ampelmännchen (little traffic light men) in Berlin. These were first created in what was then East Berlin back in 1961 and now appear on various traffic lights in the centre of the German capital. 

Germany in Focus

In the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, we talk about our highlights of Euro 2024 so far, why the German coalition is hanging by a thread, the postal system reform, how offices are preparing for the German citizenship law changes and the German vocabulary you need to watch football. 

Lucky chimney sweeps

My building recently received a visit from a lovely Schornsteinfeger (chimney sweep) to check our boilers were in working order. 

It reminded me that seeing a chimney sweep is meant to bring good luck in Germany. 

That’s because they traditionally came to homes to clean out chimneys, removing soot and dirt, which would help ward off the possibility of fires (as well as unwanted evil spirits). 

A chimney sweep on a roof on Maulbronn, Baden-Württemberg in 2023.

A chimney sweep on a roof on Maulbronn, Baden-Württemberg in 2023. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Bernd Weißbrod

They may not actually be going into chimneys and getting covered in soot these days but they’re still providing maintenance and checking on various heating systems which can only be a Glücksbringer (lucky charm).

You’re supposed to get even more luck if you touch a chimney sweep – for example by shaking their hand or twisting one of their silver buttons – but you should probably ask them first. 

If you see a Schornsteinfeger on New Year’s Day or on your wedding day it’s meant to be even luckier.

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