Swimming in the Main – for many Würzburgers at these temperatures the ultimate refreshment. However, the dangers associated with bathing should not be underestimated. According to the German Life Saving Society (DLRG), 60 people drowned while swimming in Bavaria last year.
“The Main is a federal waterway, something like a water highway,” explains Christoph Graf-Hadry, the head of operations at DLRG Würzburg. Due to the large amount of shipping traffic, it is all the more dangerous for bathers here. Large transport ships have a relatively large blind spot and swimmers are often overlooked. An evasive maneuver is often not possible because they are too sluggish.
What should you consider if you intend to swim in the Main?
“Always cool down before swimming,” emphasizes Graf-Hadry. If you jump into the cooler water with an overheated body, you could go into shock and drown. You should also “don’t jump into the river if you don’t know the underground”. This is especially true for diving into murky water. Swimming under the influence of alcohol and on a full or empty stomach should also be avoided. “It is also advisable to swim together over long distances so that we can help each other in an emergency,” recommends the Bavarian Red Cross (BRK), district association of Würzburg, in a press release
According to the head of operations, it is important not to try to cross the Main. “The distance of 50 to 60 meters is often underestimated” and one would underestimate one’s own strength and endurance or get in the way of ships and messengers. In addition, the Main is a river, “if you want to swim straight ahead, you often don’t get out at the same point,” adds Stefan Krüger. Krüger is responsible for the public relations and media work of the Bavarian Red Cross (BRK) Würzburg.
“In addition to shipping and swimmers, there are also sports boats, stand-up paddle boards, barbecue boats, rowing boats and much more in the Main in the summer months,” says the press release from the BRK Würzburg. So it comes down to caution and consideration. Don’t push, dive, or jump on other swimmers. In contrast to defined bathing bays, such as in Eibelstadt, the Main is “not supervised,” adds Krüger. One should therefore be aware of the danger and take care of one another.
It is also forbidden to swim near bridges, weirs and locks. According to Graf-Hadry, there are “extreme suction effects” and strong currents in the water, which can quickly sweep away and sweep away even experienced swimmers. “You don’t want to get into that,” adds Krüger.
behavior in an emergency situation
However, if you still find yourself in an emergency situation, the experts also give some recommendations on how to behave. Especially when the temperatures are high, there is a lot going on on the Main, which is why “if you have problems in the water, you should draw attention to yourself and call for help”, says Graf-Hadry. “If you’re not a lifeguard yourself, it can be dangerous to try to pull someone out of the water yourself,” adds Krüger. One should call 911 immediately and look for lifebuoys and lifelines on the shore to help the person in danger. If you see from the shore that someone in the water needs help, you should always dial the emergency number immediately, emphasizes Krüger.
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