Phone at the Pool's Edge: Lifeguards Urge Parents Not to Leave Children Unsupervised Near Water

The German Life-Saving Association (DLRG) emphasizes that water exerts an enormous pull on nearly all children. They act more recklessly, more naïvely, and more carefree – "they are, however, not yet able to grasp the full scope of their actions," the organization says. Children playing at or in the water therefore need continuous observation. Just a brief glance by a parent at their phone – and a child can drown silently in the water.

Why Children Near Water Need Special Attention

The fact that drowning is possible even in shallow water is underscored by Ralf Großmann of the Bundesverband Deutscher Schwimmmeister (BDS, Federal Association of German Swimming Supervisors). Drowning is possible for small children even in very shallow water. The duty of supervision remains with the parents, even at a swimming pool. A lifeguard cannot assume personal supervision of every single child. A public swimming pool is not a childcare facility where children can be dropped off while the parents relax.

Several cities are responding to the incidents with targeted awareness campaigns. Frankfurt is appealing to parents under the title "KleinNieAllein" (Never Alone, Even Small Ones). In Cologne, posters and loudspeaker announcements reinforce the message; a mascot walks through the outdoor pools and addresses families directly. In Essen, banners and flyers point out that children can drown silently within 20 seconds. One message displayed there reads: "Papa, du warst mein Held. Bis dein Handy wichtiger war als ich." ("Dad, you were my hero. Until your phone became more important than me.")

Campaigns in Frankfurt, Cologne, Essen, and Hamburg

Hamburg's pool operator Bäderland is also taking a hard line: "Der Blick aufs Handy kann Ihrem Kind das Leben kosten." ("A glance at your phone can cost your child their life.") In Duisburg, in serious cases where parents fail to fulfill their duty of supervision and endanger children, a ban from the pool is issued. Other pools in Germany take similar measures, according to the associations.

The reaction from parents varies according to operators: some initially feel attacked, but most are understanding when approached about phone use. In the vast majority of cases, the smartphone plays a role, according to the outdoor pools.

Pool Bans and Consequences in Serious Cases

Those responsible for a child always have a duty to provide active and consistent supervision, even when lifeguards are present. The associations are therefore appealing to parents to put their phones away while at the pool's edge and to keep their gaze deliberately on their child.

According to the cities and operators, the campaigns are not meant to reassure but to point to a real danger: lifeguards are cautioning parents because the number of incidents is rising – and because silent drowning can happen within seconds.