Staying safe in and on the water: how to protect yourself and others

Summer, sunshine, water sports – for many people, there’s nothing better than spending time by or on the water. But as tempting as the cool water may be, it harbours dangers that are often underestimated. Swimming accidents happen more quickly than you might think – and they don’t just affect children or inexperienced swimmers.

Why water safety is everyone's business

Whether you’re an experienced sailor, an occasional SUP paddler or simply enjoy swimming in the lake: water safety isn’t just an issue for beginners. Even experienced water sports enthusiasts can find themselves in dangerous situations – due to sudden changes in the weather, currents or overestimating their own abilities.

According to statistics, several hundred people drown in Germany every year. Many of these swimming accidents could be prevented by behaving correctly. That is why we spoke to Lukas Ziehm from the DLRG Nordrhein and asked him the most important questions about staying safe in and on the water.

Lukas Ziehm: Water safety affects everyone, because water makes no distinction between age, experience or leisure activity. Whether you’re swimming in a lake, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing or going on a boat trip – risks can arise anywhere. A sudden change in the weather, cold water, currents, exhaustion or a momentary lapse in concentration are all it takes to turn a lovely day by the water into an emergency.

Lukas Ziehm: The greatest danger is often a misjudgement of one’s own abilities and the conditions on the ground. Many people underestimate how quickly the weather, wind or water conditions can change. Cold water can lead to hypothermia even on hot summer’s days; currents are frequently overlooked; and distances in the water often appear shorter than they actually are.

We also observe that carelessness plays a major role amongst swimmers – for example, overestimating one’s own swimming ability, jumping into unfamiliar waters or swimming after drinking alcohol. Water sports enthusiasts, on the other hand, frequently underestimate the importance of a life jacket or rely too heavily on their equipment. Even on a SUP, kayak or sailing boat, an unexpected situation can quickly result in you ending up in the water.

Lukas Ziehm: The most important rule is: only go into the water if you feel fit and are able to assess the conditions. Children must never be left unsupervised by or in the water – not even if they are wearing flotation aids, as per the DLRG campaign „DU bist die Aufsicht!“.  

Where possible, swim only at supervised bathing areas and follow local instructions and heed warning flags.

It is equally important never to go into the water whilst under the influence of alcohol, not to jump into unfamiliar waters, and to acclimatise yourself to the water gradually after sunbathing. Anyone who feels unsteady or exhausted should get out of the water in good time.

The DLRG’s swimming rules are simple, but vital. By following them, you not only protect yourself, but also help to ensure that the emergency services do not have to be called out in the first place.

Lukas Ziehm: Parents should bear in mind that children must always be actively supervised when near or in the water – and from a close distance. Drowning often happens silently and within a matter of seconds. It is therefore not enough to simply glance over occasionally or to rely on others to keep an eye on them.

It is also important to realistically assess your own child’s swimming ability. Swimming aids such as air mattresses or inflatable armbands do not provide reliable safety and are never a substitute for adult supervision. Children should learn to swim as early as possible and become familiar with the rules for swimming.

Our appeal is therefore: give children your full attention – put your mobile phone away, avoid distractions and always stay within arm’s reach when young children are near the water. This can help prevent many accidents.

Lukas Ziehm: For water sports enthusiasts, the following applies: good preparation and the right equipment can save lives in an emergency. A suitable lifejacket should always be worn – regardless of whether you’re out on a SUP, in a kayak, on a sailing boat or in a motorboat. This is particularly important on open or fast-flowing waters, in changeable weather or when out alone.
Before setting off, you should check the weather conditions, wind, currents and local conditions. It is equally important to have a realistic assessment of your own abilities and to avoid alcohol whilst on the water. Your equipment should be checked regularly and be suitable for the sport in question.

The risks are often underestimated, particularly when stand-up paddleboarding or using smaller boats: even a single fall into the water can quickly turn into an emergency due to the cold, currents or distance from the shore. That’s why we recommend: don’t just have fun on the water, but also take responsibility – with the right preparation, consideration and safety equipment.

Lukas Ziehm: If someone is in distress in the water, the most important thing is to stay calm and act sensibly. The key principle is: do not put yourself in danger. Many rescuers find themselves in danger because they jump into the water without thinking and underestimate their own strength or the situation.

First of all, you should call the emergency services on 112 and describe the situation as accurately as possible: where is the person, what has happened and how many people are involved? At the same time, you should try to assist the person in distress from the shore or from a boat – for example, by calling out reassuringly and throwing them rescue equipment such as a lifebuoy, a rope or a flotation device.

Anyone helping from a boat should be particularly careful: switch off the engine or reduce speed, keep your distance, and ensure your own safety as well as that of the other people on board. If possible, you should rescue the person from the water using rescue equipment rather than pulling them over the side unsecured, as this could also cause rescuers to fall into the water.

It is also important not to lose sight of the person and to direct the emergency services. Every minute can be crucial. Therefore, the rule is: help, yes – but safely and without putting yourself in danger.

Lukas Ziehm: The work of the DLRG goes far beyond swimming instruction. Our volunteer rescue teams are active in water rescue services, hazard prevention and disaster response. This includes, amongst other things, monitoring bathing areas, providing assistance in the event of swimming and water sports accidents, searching for missing persons in the water, carrying out operations with rescue boats, divers or current rescuers, as well as providing support during floods and other special emergency situations.

The figures show just how important this work is: in 2025, DLRG lifeguards saved the lives of just under 1,200 people across Germany. Of these, they were able to prevent more than 700 people from drowning in the water just in time. This is made possible by the efforts of more than 51,000 volunteers who are committed to ensuring safety on and in the water across the country.

Behind every figure is a person, and often a dramatic situation in which swift and appropriate action is crucial. At the same time, our primary aim is to ensure that such emergencies do not arise in the first place. That is why we invest heavily in prevention, public awareness and training – because every accident that can be prevented through prudent behaviour is our greatest achievement.

Whether at bathing spots, during searches for missing persons, in the event of water sports accidents or in disaster relief: our volunteer emergency responders are there when people need our help. Safety around water is achieved through a combination of good preparation, responsible behaviour on the part of the public and the rapid assistance of professional water rescuers.

Disaster relief operations: our volunteers are there when people need our support.

Lukas Ziehm: Across Germany, the DLRG trains more than 170,000 people in swimming and lifesaving every year. Our volunteer instructors offer a wide range of courses: from water familiarisation and water confidence for the very youngest, through to swimming courses for children and young people, right up to the Seepferdchen, Bronze, Silver and Gold swimming badges. For older children, teenagers and adults, there are also lifesaving courses, preparation for the water rescue service, and courses for adults who are learning to swim for the first time or wish to improve their technique.

Our aim is clear: everyone should be able to swim safely. After all, swimming is not just a leisure activity – it can save lives at a critical moment.

Behind every figure is a person, and often a dramatic situation in which swift and appropriate action is crucial. At the same time, our primary aim is to ensure that such emergencies do not arise in the first place. That is why we invest heavily in prevention, public awareness and training – because every accident that can be prevented through prudent behaviour is our greatest achievement.

Whether at bathing spots, during searches for missing persons, in the event of water sports accidents or in disaster relief: our volunteer emergency responders are there when people need our help. Safety around water is achieved through a combination of good preparation, responsible behaviour on the part of the public and the rapid assistance of professional water rescuers.

Disaster relief operations: our volunteers are there when people need our support.

Lukas Ziehm: Our most important message is: Enjoy the water – but treat it with respect and act responsibly. Water offers relaxation, sport and shared experiences, but it also carries risks that should not be underestimated.

Know your own abilities, follow the swimming rules and find out about local conditions. Don’t enter the water recklessly, avoid alcohol whilst swimming or taking part in water sports, and use the appropriate safety equipment – in particular a life jacket when engaging in water-based activities. Also, look out for one another: keeping a watchful eye on family, friends or other swimmers can make all the difference in an emergency.

Our volunteer emergency services are there when help is needed. But it is even more important that emergencies do not arise in the first place. Everyone can help ensure that time spent by the water remains safe and carefree by behaving sensibly.

Water is fun – safety makes all the difference.

What role does the DLRG play at boot Düsseldorf, and how can visitors experience what you have to offer there?

Lukas Ziehm: boot Düsseldorf is an important platform for us to raise public awareness of safety on and around the water. The DLRG uses the trade fair to provide information about water rescue, swimming lessons, water safety and our voluntary work.

Visitors can experience the DLRG’s wide range of activities first-hand: we demonstrate the equipment our emergency crews use, how modern water rescue works and the contribution our volunteers make – from lifeguards and current rescue to operations involving rescue boats. In addition, our experts are on hand to answer questions about staying safe whilst swimming and practising water sports.

For water sports enthusiasts in particular, boot Düsseldorf is a great opportunity to find out about topics such as lifejackets and safety whilst stand-up paddleboarding, sailing or motorboating. Our aim is to inspire people to enjoy the water whilst ensuring they are well prepared and stay safe whilst out and about.

Water sports and safety go hand in hand.

We look forward to chatting with visitors, sharing experiences and demonstrating just how important voluntary work is for safety on the water.