The basic tasks of the fire department are well known: extinguishing various types of fires or rescuing people, for example in traffic accidents, are part of the fire department's everyday duties. We increasingly have to expect storms, heavy rain, and floods. This raises the question of how people can be rescued from distressing situations in such cases. This is where the German Life Saving Association (DLRG) comes into play, as it specializes in rescuing people on and in the water.
The training officers from the fire department, Technical Relief Organization (THW), German Red Cross (DRK), and German Life Saving Association (DLRG) have joined forces and developed measures to promote cooperation among their organizations. Due to the increasing frequency of storms and natural disasters, the training committee has decided to offer a lifeguard course. Good preparation for such missions is essential. In this context, the Illingen local chapter of the DLRG offered lifeguard training to all other aid organizations.
The training to become a lifeguard is divided into theory and practice. The theoretical content includes knowledge of respiration and blood circulation, dangers on and in the water, assistance in bathing, boating and ice accidents with self-rescue and rescue of others, aid in injuries and drowning accidents, as well as heat and cold injuries. In practical training, various swimming techniques, as well as jumps into the water, must be learned and demonstrated in an exam. For example, swimming with objects, diving a longer distance, and deep diving. Various rescue techniques are also taught, such as the basics of first aid with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
The lifeguard training took place over the winter months. Four firefighters successfully completed this training, and thus Harald Fey, Pascal Groß, Tobias Kendziorra, and Nils Schnur can now also call themselves lifeguards.
