Bathing supervision on Lake Constance: Despite a shortage of skilled workers!

Bathing supervision on Lake Constance: Despite a shortage of skilled workers!

Hörnle, Deutschland - on Lake Constance has long since started the current bathing season, and security in the Constance baths is a topic that employs not only the guests, but also the operators. New in the team of Bäderbetriebe Konstanz is Jonas Dickmann, who as a career changer brings a breath of fresh air to the bathing supervision. Previously, he worked as a surf instructor on Fuerteventura and headed a stand-up paddling rental in Dortmund. Now he brings his know-how into the Hörnle lido as a trained lifeguard and water sports enthusiast. Despite its experience, the bathing company faces challenges because there is a lack of qualified staff to operate the four bathrooms. The problems are not new: the shortage of skilled workers in the bathing supervision is still noticeable, as is [suedkurier.de] (https://www.suedkurier.de/region/kreis-konstanz/badevicht-am-bodensee-so--s-es-sicherheit-in-konster-baedern ;art3724407925) reported.

At the weekend, Dickmann's team supports a volunteer DLRG rescue swimmer, which are used in the lido on heavily frequented days. These helpers support the permanent lifeguards, but the main responsibility for the bathing supervision lies with the pool company. Dickmann reports that there have been reports of the aggressive behavior of some bathers in the area of ​​bathing supervision, but this does not see this as a bigger problem. The bathing company has house rights and can rule out unwanted guests in the worst case.

technology in the bathing supervision: opportunities and limits

A topic that is currently being particularly hot is the use of technology -based systems to improve bathing supervision. AI-supported drowning systems are a growing topic in indoor and outdoor pools. You could make a decisive contribution to the safety of the bathers. Datenschutz-notzen.de emphasizes that such systems are already being used successfully in Wiesbaden and Freudenstadt. Cameras analyze the movements in the water live and can immediately alert the swimming supervision in dangerous situations and motionless people.

In 2022, at least 378 people drowned in Germany, including eight in swimming pools. These accidents often pass silently, which illustrates the need for support systems. The AI-based systems show the number of bathers on smartwatches in real time and enable a faster reaction in an emergency. Nevertheless, the topic of data protection should not be neglected: legal framework conditions must be observed, in particular the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for video surveillance.

drowning cases and their prevention

An impressive example of the effectiveness of such systems recently existed in the Vitusbad in Everswinkel. There a four-year-old girl, who was already motionless on the pelvic floor, was saved by a AI system. It precisely alarmed the bathroom staff who could intervene immediately. The rescue took place so quickly that the child could be released in the hospital after a short time without external consequences. Such incidents illustrate the urgency with which the bathing supervision must be expanded-not only by trained personnel, but also by modern technology, as ZDF today.

The common effort to combine both human supervision and technical support can make a decisive contribution to increasing security in the baths. Dickmann and his colleague agree: the human component is irreplaceable, but the support from technology could make the decisive difference in an emergency. Baths are required to find innovative approaches in order to protect their bathers in the best possible way and at the same time to ensure responsible use of new technologies.