approx. 5 min read
Summer is the perfect time for an outing to the outdoor pool or the beach. Your children love splashing around in the water and enjoying the sun. To ensure that you all have a great and, above all, safe time together, there are a few things to consider. Here are some valuable tips to ensure an unforgettable and safe day by the water.
Children's swimming ability
Before you go into the water, check whether your children can swim safely. If they are not yet confident swimmers, they should wear flotation aids such as armbands or life jackets. In Germany, a confident swimmer has usually obtained the bronze swimming badge under the supervision of an authorized examiner. Unfortunately, the number of children who pass this test is declining, due to the shortage of qualified swimming instructors and the closure of swimming pools. This means that fewer and fewer children can swim safely, which can lead to dangerous situations.
Duty of supervision
Never leave your children unsupervised in or near the water. Even if lifeguards are on site, you remain responsible for supervising your children. A well-fitting life jacket for younger children is particularly important if you are at the beach or in a large, open body of water. Even if your child can swim, a life jacket provides additional protection and gives you greater peace of mind.
Sun protection
Protect your family from the sun by regularly applying sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF) – ideally every two hours and after every time you have been in the water. UV protection clothing, hats, and sunglasses provide additional protection. Seek out shaded areas or bring a parasol to provide protection from direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day, usually between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Regular breaks in the shade are important to avoid sunburn or heatstroke.
Hydration
Make sure your family drinks enough. Water is the best choice for staying hydrated. Avoid sugary drinks, which can make you thirstier.
Emergency equipment
A well-equipped first-aid kit should always be close at hand. It should contain plasters, disinfectant, painkillers, and tweezers. Refreshing your first-aid knowledge can be crucial in an emergency. Many organizations offer courses specifically tailored to the needs of parents. This will prepare you for an emergency and enable you to react quickly and effectively should something happen.
Responsible behavior
A safe and enjoyable outing to an outdoor pool or the beach requires not only planning, but also knowing what to avoid. Alcohol can significantly impair your reaction time, which is particularly dangerous if you are responsible for supervising your children. A clear head is essential for reacting quickly and correctly to potential dangers. Therefore, you should largely avoid alcohol when you are out with your children. It is important to swim only in bodies of water that you know and know are safe. Unknown or unsafe bodies of water may have strong currents or dangerous underwater hazards that you cannot see. Always pay attention to warning signs and avoid areas that you are unfamiliar with or that appear potentially dangerous.
A well-prepared outing to an outdoor pool or the beach can be an unforgettable experience for the whole family. By following these safety tips, you can ensure that the day by the water is not only fun but also safe. Enjoy the summer and the time spent together, but stay alert and well prepared!
Deutschland Schwimmt Foundation
A Forsa survey from 2023 paints a shocking picture: around 20% of children between the ages of six and ten cannot swim. The German Life-Saving Association (DLRG) even estimates that 58% of children are not confident swimmers by the end of primary school. The situation is particularly dramatic for children from low-income households: in families with a monthly net income of less than EUR 2,400, half of the children are complete non-swimmers.
Alexander Gallitz recognized this alarming trend and founded Deutschland Schwimmt to sustainably improve children's swimming ability in Germany. The foundation works with various organizations, including the DLRG, the Water Rescue Service, and the German Swimming Association, to address the shortage of resources and ensure that every child learns to swim early.
Many children are afraid of water, which affects their ability to learn. In addition, the majority of swimming courses in Germany focus on breaststroke as the first basic skill, which is difficult for many children. The foundation is committed to ensuring that children not only learn to swim, but also move safely in the water and can react correctly in emergencies.
The Deutschland Schwimmt Foundation has made it its main task to ensure that everyone in Germany can move safely in the water as a basic right – regardless of age, social, cultural, or health backgrounds. This includes special courses and one-on-one lessons for all age groups, as well as training and further education for swimming instructors, especially for people with disabilities.
Alexander Gallitz not only serves as a volunteer swimming instructor, but also uses his skills in networking and marketing to spread the idea of safe swimming for everyone in Germany. The foundation places great importance on raising awareness about water confidence starting in nurseries and daycares, and financially supports clubs, institutions, and swimming instructors that pursue similar goals.
Through his commitment to the foundation, Gallitz wants to give back to society and help ensure that no child in Germany is ever again put in danger due to a lack of swimming skills. The mission of the Deutschland Schwimmt Foundation is to make swimming a matter of course for everyone in Germany – and thus provide genuine life insurance.
If your child or children cannot yet swim sufficiently, why not visit the Deutschland Schwimmt Foundation? On the website, you will find tips on how you can start learning to swim in the bathtub.
