Bremen's bathing islands in lakes: stop dangers! Platforms will be removed

Bremen's bathing islands in lakes: stop dangers! Platforms will be removed

The cool water always tempts you to jump into the water, but in recent years the number of swimming accidents has increased. This is particularly evident in the Bremen lakes, where popular bathing platforms could soon be a thing of the past. As the Weser-Kurier reports, there have recently been extensive security concerns that led to the decision to remove these platforms due to the potential danger. In particular, the increase in swimming accidents, often caused by a misjudgment of one's own swimming abilities, raised alarm bells.

The Sodenmattsee and the Bultensee are still home to two of these platforms, whose safety is now being critically questioned. The platform in the Achterdieksee had already had to give way because it was classified as dangerous due to rotten wooden structures. The DLRG and the local office managers have urgently pointed out the risks. The challenges for the rescue workers proved particularly worrying in Sodenmattsee, which is also due to lose its platform in July next month. Bathers who tried to swim onto the platforms repeatedly had to be rescued, with a DLRG spokesman reporting frightening operations.

The current danger situation

The number of swimming accidents has risen worryingly during the current bathing season. There were at least 355 drowning cases in Germany in 2022, 56 more than in the previous year. The trend is also heading in a dangerous direction, as the DLRG even documented 411 fatal accidents in water for 2022. Sudden winds and strong currents are often underestimated dangers, especially in the coastal regions of Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony. This makes a difference barely a meter from the beach.

The warning signs of “silent drowning” are often not heard. A swimmer who makes uncontrolled movements could be in danger of death. Dr. Jan Wnent, an emergency doctor, strongly advises that if you suspect something, get help immediately and call the emergency number. Acting quickly can save lives and reduce long-term damage. In children, it is essential to carry out immediate resuscitation measures if the situation occurs.

You can't learn to swim anymore

The increase in swimming accidents can also be seen as a reflection of a dangerous development in German swimming behavior. According to the DLRG, 20% of primary school students will not be able to swim in 2022, twice as many as five years ago. Over 3.5 million people in Germany are classified as non-swimmers, and the number of swimming pools that serve as training locations is rapidly decreasing. More and more ordinary school swimming lessons are becoming a thing of the past, and swimming lessons in primary schools are no longer a given. As a result, many parents have to send their children to private swimming lessons, which can put socially disadvantaged families in a difficult position.

The federal government has recognized that swimming pools are under pressure and is planning to invest at least one billion euros in the renovation of sports facilities. In order to make swimming courses accessible to children, the pool alliance is calling for one billion euros annually over the next twelve years.

The situation in the Bremen lakes and the Germany-wide trends show that it is time to raise awareness about how to curb swimming accidents. Learning to swim is the key to greater safety in the water for all age groups.