With the summer heat, many people in Saxony are seeking relief by taking a dip in the water. According to the German Red Cross (DRK) Water Rescue Service, however, safety infrastructure in many places is not keeping pace with the growth in tourism offerings. As a result, 90 percent of swimming areas at lakes and ponds in the Free State of Saxony are unsupervised.
Rescue Operations Have Doubled in Two Years
According to the data, there were 1,769 rescue operations last year—double the number from 2023. The number of rescues from dangerous situations rose from 97 in 2023 to 245 last year. These primarily involved swimmers, but increasingly also surfers and 23 crews of sailboats or recreational boats.
However, lakes and ponds are not only used for swimming and water sports. The paths around the lakes are mostly well-maintained and ideal for biking or inline skating. Here, the water rescue teams are also increasingly providing first aid for injuries from falls, wounds, insect bites, circulatory problems, or heat-related ailments.
