Over ten thousand lifeguards stationed in North Rhine-Westphalia during the summer season. - Over 9,000 lifeguards monitoring beaches across North Rhine-Westphalia during summer
Lifeguards in Action: DLRG Deploys Nearly 10,000 Lifeguards in North Rhine-Westphalia for Summer Safety
North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) will see a staggering 9,500 lifeguards from the German Life-Saving Association (DLRG) patrolling its waterways and swimming facilities this summer. This marks the third consecutive year that the number of volunteer lifeguards in the most populous federal state has surpassed 9,500, according to the DLRG.
Spanning over 200 lakes and rivers and supporting pool supervision at nearly 200 swimming pools, these lifeguards are prepared to undertake a diverse range of tasks, from rightsizing capsized boats to administering first aid, searching for missing individuals, and responding to distress signals in the water. Stefan Albrecht, president of DLRG North Rhine, emphasized the critical role of lifeguards in these efforts, stating, "we are there when someone is in peril in the water."
In the past two years alone, NRW's lifeguards have saved more than 230 lives and provided assistance to around 9,000 others. However, the lifeguards' presence does not prevent all water-related accidents, with at least 57 fatal drowning incidents reported in NRW last year, ten more than in the year prior.
Heightened awareness about water safety is a key objective for the DLRG moving forward, as Albrecht emphasized, "no one should swim in the Rhine." This warning comes on the heels of the Düsseldorf fire department's caution against swimming in the Rhine, as well as the DLRG's alerts regarding the risks of cold water immersion and diving into unknown or murky waters.
The DLRG's influence in NRW continues to grow, with over 164,000 members as of the end of 2024—an unprecedented number and a 13,000-member increase compared to ten years ago. The DLRG's junior teams for service on the waters have gained considerable popularity since 2017. Volunteers participated in over 9,100 swimming lessons in 2024, assisting nearly 11,000 children in earning the 'Seepferdchen' badge, marking the start of learning to swim. Approximately 21,600 children, young people, and adults successfully completed a bronze, silver, or gold swimming badge in NRW.
In addition to their work in NRW, lifeguards from the state's DLRG associations can also be found at the North and Baltic Seas, supporting water rescue services during the summer. They spend one to two weeks of their vacation or holidays at approximately 100 guarded beach sections, ensuring the safety of vacationers. The seaside resorts cover travel costs, accommodation, and daily allowances and food expenses for these dedicated volunteers.
- As part of an expanded scope, DLRG lifeguards, alongside their water safety efforts in North Rhine-Westphalia, now offer vocational training programs, providing lessons in various swimming levels and promoting health and wellness.
- Recognizing the importance of lifeguards in water safety, the DLRG association in North Rhine-Westphalia advocates for science-backed policy changes, incorporating not just emergency response but also health, fitness, and exercise-related initiatives.
