Be careful when bathing! Lifesavers warn of dangers on the Rhine!

Be careful when bathing! Lifesavers warn of dangers on the Rhine!

On Saturday, last June, another big event took place at the Rhine Swimming, which drew numerous swimmers and spectators to the banks. The German Life Saving Society (DLRG) was there, supported by the fire department and the Technical Relief Agency (THW), to ensure the safety of the participants. The water police showed their presence by securing the route and ensuring the necessary conditions. In addition, canoeists helped mark the channel for the swimmers. But the joy over the event also comes with some warnings, as the DLRG and the water police force emphasize.

What many people don't know: The Rhine is one of the busiest waterways in Europe. Even experienced swimmers often struggle to recognize the treacherous currents and dangers that lurk in this “cargo highway.” While there was a safe environment when swimming in the Rhine, the situation is completely different when swimming independently. “Swimming in the Rhine is dangerous and definitely not a controlled swimming pool,” said a spokesman for the DLRG. It can be life-threatening, particularly in port areas or near ship docks.

Dangers of the Rhine

Swimming in the Rhine is forbidden in many places for good reason. An absolute bathing ban applies 100 meters above and below Rhine ports, as well as in the areas around bridges, ship and ferry landing points, locks and transshipment points. These bans are not arbitrary; it's about protecting swimmers. Dangerous currents can quickly result from unpredictable and confusing tides, which represents an insurmountable obstacle even for experienced swimmers. “The current can push you up to 2,000 meters below the entry point,” warns the water police.

The DLRG also reminds us of other risks that are not immediately apparent. Sudden deeper spots in supposedly shallow water or the eddies and whirlpools that arise on groynes are real sources of danger. The suction potential of passing ships, which should not be underestimated, can be surprisingly dangerous for small children. Parents should therefore never let their children out of their sight near bodies of water, especially along the Rhine.

Public appeals and rules

In addition to the specific risks, there are also strict rules put in place by the relevant authorities to protect swimmers. These are regulated, among other things, by the regulation on swimming in the federal waterways Rhine and the Rhine-Kleve shipping route. It is important to maintain a distance of at least 50 meters from passing vehicles when swimming in the permitted zones.

The DLRG, the city of Bonn, the fire department and the water police urge the public to take the dangers seriously and to refrain from swimming in the Rhine. “Fun in the water can quickly turn into life-threatening situations,” warns a representative of the DLRG and appeals to all bathers to stick to the rules.

For everyone who still ventures to the Rhine, safety is their own responsibility. Anyone who respects nature and its dangers and swims as part of organized events can have fun where it is safe.