The German Life Saving Association (DLRG), organised an International Symposium on Water Safety on 16 and 17 October, in conjunction with their ninetieth anniversary celebration. The Symposium took place in Bad Nenndorf (Germany) and was attended by over 250 people. Ten themes were covered during four blocks per day:

• Legal aspects of lifesaving and public safety.
• The role of lifesaving in the frame of civil protection.
• Definitions and standards in lifesaving.
• The collaboration between several providers of rescue services.
• The utility of lifesaving sports for lifesavers.
• Harmonisation of Lifesaving Education.
• From first aid to Oxygen supply to AED.
• Medical aspects of lifesaving including AED and hypothermia.
• The use of equipment in lifesaving.
• Risk assessment in pools and beaches.

The participants had ample time for in-depth discussions and practical examples.

Wrap-up

Authorities from ILS and ILSE included: Dr. Klaus Wilkens PhD (ILS Vice-President and President of the Europe Region), B. Chris Brewster (ILS Vice President and President of the America’s Region), Dr. Harald Vervaecke PhD (ILS Secretary General), Frank Nolan (ILS Board Member and ILSE Vice-President), Knight Albert Bas (ILSE Board Member), Jerzy Telak (ILSE Vice President), Dr. Anthony Handley MD (ILSE Medical Advisor), Martin O’Sullivan (ILSE Rescue Commission Chair), as well as several national Presidents. Delegates from Australia ” Royal, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Croatia, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sri-Lanka, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the United States of America attended the Symposium. The Symposium was masterly organised by the DLRG and a lot of credit goes to Mr. Ortwin Kreft and Mr. Peter Sieman.