Global Lifesaving Tournament: DLRG Contest - Life-Saving Swimming Competition: International DLRG Tournament
The International DLRG Cup in Lifesaving, taking place in Warnemünde until Saturday, is a prestigious competition organised by the Deutsche Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft (DLRG), the German Life Saving Association. This year, the event brings together 250 young women and men from 38 teams across various countries, including Belgium, Sweden, and Switzerland.
The competition program consists of six individual and five team events, designed to simulate lifesaving scenarios. These events combine swimming with rescue skills, testing both speed and lifesaving proficiency. Events may include simulated rescue swimming, manikin carries, obstacle swims, and relay races focused on rescue techniques.
The International DLRG Cup is more than just a competition; it fosters international cooperation and skill development in lifesaving. Participating countries often include Germany and other European and international lifesaving teams. The event promotes lifesaving swimming by encouraging high standards of aquatic rescue proficiency, increasing awareness of lifesaving sports, and fostering camaraderie among participants from different countries.
The DLRG's role extends beyond the competition, as they ensure safety nationwide. In 2024, they reported that approximately 55,000 volunteer helpers ensured safe leisure time on and in the water. On land, speed is crucial in the sprints, while in the water, proficiency in handling rescue tubes, rescue boards, and rescue skis is essential. A rescue ski, a type of kayak used in the competition, plays a vital role in lifesaving operations.
Ute Vogt, the DLRG President, describes the participants as ambassadors for lifesaving swimming. The lifesavers compete both on the beach and in the water during the events. The International DLRG Cup in Lifesaving at Warnemünde is not the only event where DLRG's role as ambassadors for lifesaving swimming is showcased.
It's worth noting that the number of people saved from drowning by DLRG in 2024 is significantly less than the number of participants in the International DLRG Cup in Lifesaving at Warnemünde. This underscores the crucial role of the DLRG in training lifesavers to prevent accidents rather than merely responding to them.
In addition to the competition, DLRG volunteers are active throughout the year to ensure safety on and in the water. The International DLRG Cup in Lifesaving at Warnemünde is not the only event where DLRG saves lives. The DLRG's commitment to lifesaving extends to everyday leisure activities, ensuring safety for all who enjoy the water.
For a full and detailed history, participating nations, event list, and significance of the International DLRG Cup in Lifesaving, you may want to consult the official DLRG website or lifesaving sport federations’ resources. The International DLRG Cup in Lifesaving at Warnemünde is a testament to the DLRG's dedication to lifesaving and their role as ambassadors for this vital skill.
The Community policy of the Deutsche Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft (DLRG) emphasizes the importance of vocational training for lifesavers, especially in light of the International DLRG Cup in Lifesaving at Warnemünde, where participants showcase their skills in aquatic rescue proficiency, including responding to rescue scenarios that simulate real-life situations. Additionally, to ensure the safety of all, DLRG volunteers actively participate in sports such as football, practicing teamwork and agility, skills essential in lifesaving as well as on the football field.
