The temperatures are rising - and with them the number of swimming accidents.
An expert from the Freising water rescue service explains what to watch out for in the water and what to do in an emergency.
Freising
– The temperatures are rising, and these days many are looking to cool off in the bathing lakes in the district.
But time and again, tragic accidents happen on bodies of water.
Two men died in a swimming accident in Kirchdorf in mid-June.
Andreas Dörner, 3rd chairman of the Freising water rescue service, therefore urgently appeals for certain rules to be observed when bathing.
In the Tagblatt interview, the head of the rescue service explains what they are and how to behave properly in an emergency.
Mr. Dörner, when the temperature is around 30 degrees, the sunbathing areas at the bathing lakes in the district are jam-packed. What is the most important rule for a trip to the water?
The most important thing is that you can actually swim.
That should go without saying, but it isn't always.
Older people sometimes tend to overestimate their ability and strength.
Younger people can often not swim well enough or at all.
However, learning to swim is a hot topic.
Why?
As a lifeguard, we offer swimming courses ourselves.
We can't even process all the requests.
The will to learn to swim is there.
But what most people don't realize is that swimming lessons - and even the seahorse - are no guarantee that you can swim safely.
A course teaches the basics, but like everything else, you can't do it without practice.
Parents have to go swimming with their children.
+
Andreas Dörner (44) has been with the water rescue service for over 30 years.
Private
© private
Finding suitable places for this is not that easy.
That's correct.
In Freising we are fortunately blessed with the fresch, generally the density of swimming pools in the district is good compared to other regions.
In general, swimming pool deaths have increased significantly over the past 20 years.
Of course we notice that.
What advice do you have for those who can't swim but still want to cool down?
Swimming pools are generally more suitable for non-swimmers than bathing ponds.
The reason can always be seen in the bathrooms, and there are also trained staff.
The problem with most of our bathing ponds is that they are quarry ponds that often have tear-off edges.
This means that you can still stand well in one place, but shortly afterwards it goes down steeply.
That can be dangerous.
If you cannot swim safely, you should never go into the water alone and always stay in the shallow area.
A safe swimming aid may be advisable.
What is meant by a safe swimming aid?
These are aids such as armbands or a chest strap.
These are not only for small children, but also for teenagers and adults.
Young people in particular are reluctant to wear it because it doesn't look cool.
What about air mattresses and bathing animals that you see a lot?
These are not safe aids because you have to actively hold on to them to stay afloat.
But when I panic it doesn't work anymore.
Keyword panic: How do I behave correctly when I notice that I am running out of strength in the water?
Keeping calm is the most important thing.
Of course, that's easier said than done.
But the more you kick, the more power you use.
Therefore, one should call for help as soon as possible – and not be ashamed of it.
The alternative would be far worse.
(By the way: everything from the region is now also available in our regular Freising newsletter.)
And what can I do if I notice someone struggling?
Anyone who notices something - and feels able to do so - can help under certain conditions, for example with an air mattress or other aid.
Under no circumstances should you make direct contact, as a person who is about to go under will grab anything he finds - and thus endanger the helper himself.
Therefore, if in doubt, you should make an emergency call and/or at least make yourself known to other bathers.
What should I do if I can't actively help myself?
Most people perish silently and unnoticed.
Especially when there are many people in the water, it is unrealistic to see anything.
It's the same for us as a security service.
In principle, however, bathers should always keep an eye on their surroundings so that they can quickly sound the alarm in an emergency.
When you realize that someone has gone under, it is extremely important for us to know where it was.
You should therefore look for two points, such as trees on the shore, which you can connect with an imaginary line.
With such a crossing point, the rescue services are very helpful.
Apart from that, it is important to make an emergency call as soon as possible - either via the newly installed emergency telephones or via 112 via mobile phone.
You can find more current news from the district of Freising at Merkur.de/Freising.
