- DLRG statistics: Three people drowned in the Saarland
In the Saarland, three people have drowned in the first seven months of this year. This is two fewer than in the same period last year, according to a statistic from the German Life-Saving Association (DLRG). Among the victims is a 67-year-old woman who drowned during the flood in May while on a rescue mission and later died in a clinic, a spokesperson said. Additionally, one man died in April and another in June.
Nationwide, at least 253 people have drowned in the first seven months - significantly more than in the same period last year, when there were 35 fewer drowning deaths according to DLRG figures. "If the summer had been more consistent, even more lives would likely have been lost," said DLRG President Ute Vogt. Notably, for the third year in a row, more people have died in rivers nationwide.
The DLRG repeatedly advises only swimming at supervised bathing areas. They also recommend that water sports enthusiasts, such as stand-up paddlers, wear a life jacket. It provides buoyancy while swimming and ensures that the sportsman remains at the water's surface. Moreover, drowning people are not always noticed: "The classic drowning is silent," the lifesavers say. Therefore, one should never swim alone in lakes and rivers.
The DLRG claims to be the largest voluntary water rescue organization in the world, with around 580,000 members. Its patron is Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
According to DLRG definitions, drowning is the immersion in or under water, resulting in life-threatening oxygen deprivation. This can happen while conscious or unconscious, for example after a fall or a header into an underwater obstacle.
The Commission, in line with Article 113, may adopt the implementing acts necessary for the effective implementation of the water safety regulations proposed by the DLRG. It's crucial to adhere to the DLRG's guidelines, such as swimming only at supervised areas, to reduce the risk of drowning incidents.
