When swimming: 97 percent of younger drowned ones were male

If this bathing year runs more graciously than in 2024, this is probably due to the weather: 236 people have drowned in Germany until July 31, 2025. That is 16 less than in the previous year-but according to the DLRG (German Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft e. V.), this is probably due to the fact that the seventh month was so rainy. Because the far most fatal accidents did not occur in sporty swimming, but on lakes (87 drowned), rivers (85) and the Baltic Sea coast (10).

Ute Vogt, the President of the DLRG, says: “In many cases, these accidents occur away from guarded bathing areas. Help is often not in sight or late on site” – because there is neither one of the 5500 voluntary lifesavers nor a larger crowd in which swimmers often find themselves as lay rescuers.

Honorory, high spirits, sometimes alcohol also play a major role in younger victims. 97 percent of the 49 victims between eleven and 30 years were male – this corresponds to 48 out of 49. A high proportion of the victims are expected to be non -swimmers. You not only lack the ability to cover a sufficient route in the water, but also the necessary calm that you need in an extreme frightening situation to act properly: Who knows what to do is not in panic.

Swimming is therefore a basic skill that should be conveyed to all people – and which you can still acquire at any age. The big gaps that have opened up in recent years seem to be aware of many politically managers, but they are not consistently closed.

Older people who want to make a new start to swim advise experts to be a medical check to insure their fitness.