The German rescue swimming badge (German: Deutsches Rettungsschwimmabzeichen) is awarded by the Wasserwacht

Wasserwacht

The Wasserwacht is a German lifeguard service. It is one of the five voluntary societies of the German Red Cross. The Wasserwacht is a non-profit organization made up of on volunteers.- Tasks :The main task of the Wasserwacht is the prevention of drowning...

 of the German Red Cross and the DLRG

DLRG

The Deutsche Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft e.V. is a relief organization for life saving in Germany. The DLRG is a non-profit, independent organization based on volunteers.-Tasks:...

 for proficiency in rescue swimming skills. The German rescue swimming badge is awarded in bronze, silver, and in gold.
The awards is available as a cloth patch, as a metal badge, or as a ribbon.
The rescue swimming badges in silver and gold are permitted to be worn on uniforms of the Bundeswehr

Bundeswehr

The Bundeswehr consists of the unified armed forces of Germany and their civil administration and procurement authorities...

, the German Police

Law enforcement in Germany

Law enforcement in Germany is constitutionally vested solely with the states, which is one of the main features of the German political system. Therefore, unlike France, Italy, the United States, Canada or many other countries, Germany has no federal police force comparable to the Italian...

and various rescue services as a ribbon.
It is also an entry-requirement for some German Police agencies.

History

In 1913 the DLRG offered its first rescue swimming classes. By the year 1922, 7997 rescue swimming certificates, 2038 badges in bronze, and 676 instructors' certificates were awarded.

Bronze

Requirements

• At least 12 years old

Test

• 200 meters swim in less than 10 minutes, (100 m in prone position and 100 m in upside-down position with without arm activity)
• 100 meters swim in clothing in less than 4 minutes. Afterwards, taking off clothes in the water.
• Three different jumps from springboard of 1 meter height
• 15 meters underwater swim on one breath
• Two 2-3 meters dives and retrieving a 5 kilo ring
• 50 meters rescue pulling or pushing stroke
• 50 meters lifesaving stroke
• Demonstrating proficiency in avoiding holds and chokes
• Demonstration of CPR
• Lifting a person out of the water
• Combination of:
  • 20 meter swim
  • Diving and retrieving a 5 kilo ring
  • 20 meters rescue pulling stroke
• Demonstrating proficiency in (written test):
  • Hazards near and inside water
  • Respiratory and cardiovascular system
  • Rescue for boat accidents or ice accidents
  • First aid for near-drowning accidents
  • Duties and responsibilities

Silver

Requirements

• At least 15 years old
• Completion of First-Aid course

Test

• 400 meters swim (50 meters front crawl, 150 meters breaststroke, 200 meters pulling rescue stroke) in less than 15 minutes
• 300 meters swim in clothing in less than 12 minutes. Afterwards, taking off clothes in the water.
• 25 meters underwater swim on one breath
• Jump from springboard of 3 meters height
• Three 3-5 meters dives and retrieving a 5 kilo ring or a similar object
• 50 meters rescue pushing stroke in 1:30 minutes
• Demonstrating proficiency in avoiding holds and chokes
• 50 meters rescue pulling stroke in less than 4 minutes, both persons wearing clothes
• Combination of:
  • 20 meters swim
  • Diving and retrieving a 5 kg ring in 3-5 meters depth
  • Breaking a hold or choke
  • Transporting a person 25 meters by using rescue pulling stroke
  • Lifting a person out of the water
  • Demonstrating CPR for three minutes
• Demonstrating proficiency in (written test):
  • Hazards near and inside water
  • Respiratory and cardiovascular system
  • Rescue for boat accidents or ice accidents
  • First aid for near-drowning accidents
  • Duties and responsibilities
  • Using rescue devices
  • Duties and tasks of the lifeguard organization

Gold

Requirements

• At least 16 years old
• Completion of First-Aid course
• Completion of rescue swimming badge in silver
• Medical certificate of physical fitness

Test

• 300 meters swim with swim fins in less than 6 minutes (250 meters swim, 50 meters pulling a partner wearing clothes)
• 300 meters swim wearing clothes in less than 9 minutes. Afterwards, taking off clothes in water.
• 100 meters swim in less than 1:40 minutes
• 30 meters underwater swim on one breath while picking up at least 8 out of 10 rings from the ground
• Three 3-5 meters dives and retrieving a 5 kilo ring or a similar object in less than 3 minutes
• 50 meters rescue pulling stroke in less than 1:30 minutes, both persons wearing clothes
• 50 meters rescue pulling or pushing stroke with a partner in less than 1:30 minutes (both wearing clothes).
• Demonstrating proficiency in avoiding and breaking holds and chokes
• Combination of:
  • 25 meters swim in less than 30 seconds
  • Diving and retrieving a 5 kg ring in 3-5 meters depth
  • Breaking a hold or choke
  • Transport person 25 meters by using rescue pulling stroke in less than 60 seconds
  • Lifting person out of the water
  • Demonstrating CPR for three minutes
• Demonstrating proficiency in using rescue aids:
  • Rescue buoy
  • Peterson tube
  • Devices for CPR
• Demonstrating proficiency in (written test):
  • Avoiding holds and chokes
  • First aid
  • Duties and tasks of the lifeguard organization