Swimmers often underestimate the danger of recreational ponds and lakes. It is precisely in those apparently calm waters that the danger of drowning lurks. This is what the Rescue Brigade said after a German swimmer died in the Limburg Leukermeer. “It looks like a calm swimming pool.”
News reporter
No, Ernst Brokmeier of the Rescue Brigade prefers not to make statements about the two drownings in Limburg and Twente last Sunday, because he was not involved. It is now also clear that the swimmer who died in Oldenzaal was a ‘natural death’. Details are not yet known.
A German man in his early twenties died in the Leukermeer near Well. He died while swimming. A ‘fatal accident’, according to the safety region: the man was swimming with a friend, who saw him go under water and never emerge again.
Brokmeier knows that it is lakes or puddles par excellence, such as the Limburg Leukermeer, where things can sometimes go wrong. “From the side it looks like a calm swimming pool, but that is not always the case.”
Deep or a lot colder
What is often underestimated, according to Brokmeier, is the sand excavation after the ball line. “We don’t know whether that is also the case here, but we often see that people are shocked by how deep it can suddenly become.” In addition, there are often temperature differences. On the shallow side the water can feel nice and warm, in a deeper part it is sometimes 5 degrees colder. That can cause cramps.”
What also plays a role, according to Brokmeier, is that people tend to underestimate a puddle. “The sea looks more dangerous, sometimes with waves. We know we have to be careful. A puddle has less of that. You don’t see that there are depths and currents under the water.”
You can imagine that such a person arrives at a puddle, sees hundreds of other people standing in the water and thinks: this is safe
In recent years, an average of 93 swimmers drowned in the Netherlands every year. More than half drowned in a ditch, river, canal or canal. “These are often accidental drownings, such as the person in Alphen who drove into the water with a mobility scooter and could not get out. Or a drunk student who ended up in the canal.”
Suddenly no ground under your feet
And then there are people who die while swimming recreationally, such as the German who got into trouble in the Limburg lake. More than 16 percent of drownings in the past five years occurred in such a puddle, or in a pond, for example.
Although the drowning figures are quite stable, there are still ‘too many’, according to Brokmeier. “We also see tourists, migrant workers, refugees among the drownings: people who come from a non-swimming culture. You can imagine that such a person arrives at a puddle, sees hundreds of other people standing in the water and thinks: this is safe. Until suddenly they no longer have ground under their feet.”
In addition, not all recreational lakes are supervised. “On the one hand, it would be good to have lifeguards in more places. On the other hand, the amount of water in the Netherlands is enormous. I think it is impossible to put someone everywhere,” says Brokmeier.
Warning sign
“Municipalities have a duty of care when it comes to bathing water, but that can also mean putting up a warning sign.” Ultimately, it all depends on your own responsibility.”
And so the most important advice remains: if you can’t swim, don’t do it, says Brokmeier. “Don’t overestimate yourself. But also inquire locally about the risks of a particular recreational lake. And: far too many people still go swimming alone. Make sure there is someone to keep an eye on you from the shore.”
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