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A DLRG team in action (symbol image)
Photo: Ralph Peters / IMAGO
In Germany, at least 299 people drowned in swimming accidents last year – fewer than at any time in over 20 years.
The number fell by 20.9 percent compared to the previous year, and it also fell for the third year in a row, as reported by the German Life Saving Society (DLRG).
That was a "positive surprise" because many people bathed in rivers and at unguarded bathing spots during the corona crisis, said DLRG President Ute Vogt: "This means that for 2021 we have recorded the lowest level since 2000, when we started To collect numbers systematically.« The statistics do not include the approximately 180 victims of the flood disaster last year - even if many of them are believed to have drowned.
Which bodies of water are particularly dangerous?
With a share of 85 percent, most fatal bathing accidents occurred in inland waters.
131 people died
in
lakes
and
ponds (2020: 175),
95 (130) people lost their lives
in
rivers .
In
swimming pools
, the number of fatal swimming accidents rose from 6 to 7.
The number of swimmers killed in the
sea
rose from 21 to 26.
"The greatest risk of drowning is still in lakes and rivers," says Vogt.
According to the information, fatal bathing accidents occur primarily away from guarded beaches – or outside of the rescuers' working hours.
In the baths, mostly full-time employees ensure security, on the coasts there are thousands of volunteers from the beginning of May to the end of September.
"The problem of drowning is a male problem," said Vice President Achim Wiese.
This is often due to carelessness and overconfidence, combined with alcohol.
Last year, 241 men and 58 women died in swimming accidents.
Worry about non-swimmers
57 percent of those who drowned were older than 50 - they overestimated their own abilities or their health was poor, said Wiese.
Children and young people are also affected: 17 children under the age of ten drowned in 2021 – six fewer than in the previous year.
Among 11-20 year olds, the number of deaths rose from 26 to 30.
Accidents with such young people are particularly tragic, said Vogt.
"In this context, we are concerned that fewer and fewer children can swim safely today."
According to earlier DLRG information, there were around 50 percent fewer participants in beginner courses in the corona year 2020.
Vogt emphasized: »Swimming is a cultural technique like reading, writing and arithmetic.
Every child must be able to do this safely by the end of elementary school.« This requires more swimming pools and trained staff in schools nationwide: »We will only achieve significantly more safe swimmers among children in the long term when swimming lessons are held across the board in schools again. « Wiese lamented a »creeping death of swimming pools« – many elementary schools no longer have access to swimming pools.
From May, the DLRG wants to offer “as many extra courses as possible” again.
ptz/dpa