





Swimming and winter bathing
Swimming in the ocean
The 10 bathing advice:
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Learn to swim and jump properly
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Never bathe alone
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Bathe only where permitted
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Read the wind and the water
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Get to know the beach
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Only go out to the navel
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Only jump upside down where the water is deep enough
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Swim along the shore
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Never bathe with alcohol and euphoric drugs in the blood
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Go up when you start to freeze
You must not bathe here:
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In ports, near piers, breakwaters
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or fishermen's bottom net poles.
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In bogs and small lakes.
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Here the water is almost always still and
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can be very cold just below the surface
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In lakes and streams with aquatic plants
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All places where bathing is prohibited
Swimming with students
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Bathing and swimming may only take place in safe, pre-examined places and under careful supervision.
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Teach students to swim
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Do a swim test with the students before further water activity
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Teach students to pay attention to each other when bathing
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Before the bathing begins, the teachers must make sure that it is safe to bathe in the place in question.
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Bathing may only take place within a more closely defined area. This must be easy to understand and all students must be able to understand.
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There must be at least 2 adult managers present. One must be on land in a place from which there is a safe overview of all the bathers. The other participates in the bathing and marks the outer limit of the permitted area. At least one of the adults must be able to swim and perform lifesaving.
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No more people may go into the water at a time than the adult on land can keep an eye on them all.
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For 15 students, at least one teacher must be an up-to-date lifeguard with the qualification from the training as a swimming instructor
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If diving is taught, the water depth must be so great that there is no danger to the students, i.e. a depth of at least 1.5 to 2 m in a sitting position and at least 2 to 2.5 m in a standing position.
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Before bathing in the open, the teacher must be allowed to ensure that bottom and current conditions etc. do not present any danger.
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The accompanying teacher must be able to swim and be able to perform lifesaving.
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There must not be more than 12-15 students in the water at the same time, and the students must be told to stick together in pairs.
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Learn what flags on the beach mean
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The two red-yellow flags at the water's edge mark the area that lifeguards primarily monitor
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The yellow flag means that you must pay special attention when bathing. Lifeguards regularly check the water conditions and use the yellow flag to warn of dangers in the water. It can be waves, currents, offshore winds, firefighters or other local conditions that require special attention. Ask the lifeguards if you are in doubt.
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The red flag means that lifeguards advise against swimming because the water conditions are life-threatening. This can be due to very large waves, very strong current conditions or polluted water.
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Blue Flag is an international environmental label scheme that ensures you have good experiences at the beach and harbor. The organization works to protect and take good care of our shared marine and coastal environment
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Winter bathing
Before you enter the water
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Check bathing conditions and know the rescue equipment
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Watch out for ice on stairs and bridges
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Carefully lower your body into the water
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Never swim alone
When you are in the water
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Breathe calmly
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Keep an eye on each other
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Stay close to the stairs or descent
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Never swim under the ice
Who can participate
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All healthy people can take a winter bath
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People with heart problems or high blood pressure must get their doctor's approval before starting.
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Do not take a winter bath if you have a cold, fever or feel unwell.
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No bathing if you are under the influence of alcohol, drugs or euphoric substances.
What happens with the body when you swim in winter
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The body secretes hormones (endorphins).
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You feel a "kick" followed by physical well-being.
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There may be minor variations in blood pressure and heart rate.
This is how you learn to winter bathe
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It is recommended that you get used to it gradually. It is best to continue bathing after the end of the regular bathing season.
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Most winter bathers immerse their whole body in approx. 10-20 seconds.
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Winter bathing can be combined with a visit to the sauna