Over 10,000 lifeguards stationed in North Rhine-Westphalia during summer season - Over 9,000 lifeguards assigned duty across NRW during summer season.
Lifeguards of the German Life Saving Association Fortify Safety in North Rhine-Westphalia
Approximately 10,000 lifeguards from the German Life Saving Association (DLRG) are set to safeguard bathers and water sports enthusiasts this summer in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). This year marks the third consecutive year the federal state will have more than 9,500 volunteer lifeguards on duty, the DLRG reported.
The lifeguards' duties will primarily involve patrolling around 200 lakes and rivers in NRW and supporting the supervision of nearly 200 swimming pools. Stefan Albrecht, president of DLRG North Rhine, noted that their role extends to overturning sailboats, administering first aid, searching for missing persons, and providing assistance when someone is in distress in the water.
In the past two years alone, DLRG volunteers saved over 230 individuals from drowning and assisted approximately 9,000 others in NRW. However, the lifeguards cannot be everywhere, especially in unguarded rivers and lakes, where fatal accidents still occur. Tragically, at least 57 people drowned in NRW last year, ten more than in 2021.
To raise awareness of these dangers, the DLRG aims to increase public education in the future. "No one should swim in the Rhine," emphasized Albrecht, reiterating a recent warning from the Düsseldorf fire department. The DLRG also advises against jumping into cold water, as the sudden temperature change can pose a threat to the heart and circulatory system. Diving into unknown or murky waters is particularly dangerous.
The DLRG in NRW carries a record membership of over 164,000, a 13,000-member increase compared to ten years ago. The number of volunteer swimming instructors and lifeguards has also surged significantly over the same period. Since 2017, the popularity of junior teams for water service has been on the rise.
In 2024, more than 9,100 volunteers were active in swimming instruction. They guided almost 11,000 children to the Seepferdchen badge, a symbolic milestone in learning to swim. Around 21,600 children, young people, and adults successfully passed a bronze, silver, or gold swimming badge in NRW.
Lifeguards from NRW can also be found outside the federal state, with at least 1,000 DLRG members supporting the water rescue service at the North and Baltic Seas during the summer. These volunteers typically spend one to two weeks of their vacation or holidays guarding one of the approximately 100 beach sections between Borkum and Usedom in exchange for travel costs, accommodation, and a daily allowance provided by the seaside resorts.
DLRGNorth Rhine-WestphaliaLifeguardsLifesavingWater SafetyRhineSwimmingDrowning PreventionFirst Aid
Through their roles and responsibilities, the DLRG lifeguards of North Rhine-Westphalia contribute significantly to public water safety. Consistent growth in their numbers and expansions in their activities have transformed their mission from simple lifesaving to encompassing education, disaster relief, and professional rescue operations. This commitment to water safety has proven essential in a densely populated, industrial region with numerous waterways and frequent flooding challenges.
- The DLRG lifeguards in North Rhine-Westphalia, with their focus on vocational training, are not just lifesavers; they also provide education on health-and-wellness topics such as the dangers of cold water and swimming in unsuitable locations, promoting science-based knowledge for water safety.
- With an increasing membership in vocational training programs, the DLRG in North Rhine-Westphalia is expanding its reach beyond lifesaving. This includes vocational training in science, health-and-wellness, and fitness-and-exercise, with a focus on sports, preparing members for disaster relief, first aid, and search-and-rescue missions.
