Destination Information

Bathing fun with safety

Respect for the water When swimming and bathing, you can reduce the dangers to a minimum if you observe the three criteria for bathing safety: 1) The conditions in the water (currents, waves). 2) The behaviour of people (responsibility for themselves and others, recklessness, willingness to take risks, health conditions) 3) The warning and rescue conditions (flags, signs, rescue routes, professional help). Rip currents in the sea Rip currents occur when the outflowing water is prevented from flowing back by rising water under the influence of wind and waves, by "deflections" such as sandbanks or rocks under water, and thus becomes faster and more intense. These movements take place under water and are hardly recognisable to the layman. People sometimes become part of these water movements and are pulled off the beach into the sea. Rip currents are the greatest danger in the Mediterranean and Atlantic and the main cause of bathing accidents and rescue operations. Emergency behaviour: 1) Keep calm, conserve strength. 2) Drift sideways out of the current area. 3) Be alert and swim calmly back to the beach. 4) Avoid fighting the currents. First aiders and lay rescuers Swimmers in distress, what to do? 1) Never go into the water before the rescue chain (emergency call, allocation of tasks) is organised. 2) Rescue only if you are in good physical condition. 3) Do not put yourself in danger and never try to rescue without a floating object. 4) Hand the victim a buoyancy device to avoid being caught in the water. First aid, brief overview of the most important measures 1) Alert lifeguards, if available. 2) Call the emergency number 112 (without area code), which is valid in most countries. In the case of water accidents, even in summer temperatures, always assume that the victim is hypothermic. 3) First check consciousness, if not present, check breathing. 4) In case of respiratory arrest: alternate between 2 x ventilation and 30 x cardiac massage until professional help arrives, until professional help arrives. Alternate with other rescuers if necessary. 5) Do not try to "shake" water out of the lungs or stomach, this will not help. Seniors Seniors are more at risk when bathing and swimming because of pre-existing physical conditions and chronic complaints (e.g. heart and circulatory problems). chronic complaints (e.g. heart and circulation) have a more problematic effect in water. Alcohol factor According to experts, about 15 % of bathing accidents are due to alcohol consumption. Even though for many people alcohol is as much a part of a successful holiday as good food, please bear this in mind for your own safety. Duty of supervision Drowning is the most common cause of accidental death among children after traffic accidents. You should check the guard situation especially at the water (pool or sea), read the signs and never let your children out of your sight. The most important tips: 1) Do not bathe or swim on unguarded beaches. 2) Do not go into the water alone. 3) Find out the meaning of the warning flags and observe them. 4) Do not leave your children unattended for a second. We wish you a relaxing and safe bathing holiday.