Many children cannot swim safely, some cannot swim at all. Niklas Meckesheimer from the DLRG wants to change that. But it's not that easy at all.
- 60 percent of ten-year-olds cannot swim safely
- At the Karl-Lederer-Schule there are even many non-swimmers in swimming lessons
- With the “Safe Swimmers” project, DLRG and AOK support fourth graders in the water
Geretsried - The German Lifesaving Society is not only present with lifeguards on the water, it is also committed to ensuring that children learn to swim. Niklas Meckesheimer has been working with the Karl-Lederer-Grundschule in this regard for six years; in the past school year he supported swimming lessons for fourth graders for the first time as part of the AOK “Safe Swimmers” campaign. In an interview, the 25-year-old explains why in his role as technical manager for training at the Geretsrieder DLRG local association.
Mr. Meckesheimer, according to a Forsa survey, around 60 percent of ten-year-old children in Germany are not safe swimmers. Can you confirm this figure with a view to your commitment at the Karl-Lederer-Grundschule?
Niklas Meckesheimer : Definitely. It's even more blatant than the statistics say. Of the 108 fourth graders, 55 were non-swimmers at the beginning of the school year, so they couldn't even swim a lane. The federal association defines a safe swimmer as someone who can swim eight laps or 15 minutes in a prone and supine position. This is a relatively high requirement, but it is important to prevent swimming accidents.
How do you explain it to yourself that so many children cannot swim or cannot swim safely?
Niklas Meckesheimer : It has changed a bit in the past few years, but I think it will hang on for a while that people simply weren't enough. I understand that children should learn to swim when they are six years old. This is where the ability to learn is greatest, and later there is no more time for it with all other hobbies. But the day comes when they go to the Isar with friends. There have already been many swimming accidents, which has already roused some people.
How can something like this be prevented?
Niklas Meckesheimer : I've been going to the first parents' evening after school for about three years to introduce myself. At that age, children will not come and say: "Mom, Dad, I want to learn to swim." The parents are clearly responsible. The education at the parents' evening brings a little something, after all, our swimming courses have always been fully booked for two years. I hope to see improvements in swimming lessons in a year or two too.
There you support the teachers of the fourth grade as swimming coaches.
Niklas Meckesheimer : Yes, but not because they can't, they do a great job. Swimming lessons are simply not possible if - as actually required - only one teacher per class is standing at the edge of the pool. Parents are often not aware of this. But that is a huge responsibility for the teachers. Children of that age are not necessarily the most disciplined. In addition, as a supervisor, you are not allowed into the water, but beginners in particular can be explained much better if you can demonstrate it and improve in the pool.
How does the “Safe Swimmers” campaign run by the AOK Bayern, DLRG-Jugend Bayern and the Bavarian Ministry of Health?
Niklas Meckesheimer : Before regular lessons, we take stock of which badges the children already have. The bathing rules are also an important part. They are often ridiculed, but are a crucial preventive measure. Then there is training in groups to take badges from Pentecost. As a final action, we spend a whole day in the swimming pool with games and competitions.
Due to the corona pandemic and the associated lockdown, the second half of the swimming lesson probably fell into the water.
Niklas Meckesheimer : Yes, unfortunately we couldn't do anything from March onwards. That was a shame because we could have achieved an incredible amount with the AOK campaign and would have achieved good results. During the final campaign, we helped ourselves creatively with a “swimming lesson in the dry”. The children still had a lot of fun. I hope that they will continue to practice with their parents.
They are enthusiastic about what they do. Why is this topic so important to you?
Niklas Meckesheimer : It's great to see the development. In the worst case, a non-swimmer child is afraid of water. If I can take away his fear, teach him to swim and maybe even enjoy it, that's a great confirmation of my work. It would be a dream if he could join us in training. Lifeguarding is versatile, it saves lives. And of course you can really work out while swimming. It's just really fun.
Bathing rules for children
- • Only take a bath when you are comfortable. Cool off and shower before getting in the water.
- • Never go into the water on a full or empty stomach.
- • As a non-swimmer, only go into the water up to your stomach.
- • Never shout for help unless you are in real danger, but help others when they need help.
- • Do not overestimate yourself and your strength.
- • Do not bathe where ships and boats go.
- • Bathing is life-threatening during a thunderstorm. Get out of the water immediately and go to a permanent building.
- • Keep the water and its surroundings clean, throw rubbish in the bin.
- • Only jump into the water when it is free and deep enough.
- • Inflatable swimming aids do not offer you safety in the water.
Source: DLRG
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