Germany's top lifeguard sees poorly trained staff as a safety risk / Peter Harzheim after attacks in outdoor pools: "There are black sheep among Germans too"

Osnabrück (ots) - Following sexual assaults and riots at outdoor pools, Germany's chief lifeguard, Peter Harzheim, warns against sweeping judgments. "There is a certain clientele in such incidents that currently accounts for a higher percentage – but we can and should get that under control," the president of the Federal Association of German Swimming Masters told the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung" (NOZ). "There are also black sheep among Germans." Generally, the security situation at outdoor pools is fine. "There are always incidents – there always have been. However, the majority of pools are safe and can be visited with a clear conscience," Harzheim said.

The association's head sees a threat to safety in poorly trained personnel. "Unfortunately, due to the shortage of skilled workers, we're increasingly turning to people who have only completed a combined rescue exercise and then letting them loose on people. I say very clearly: Absolutely avoid this."

In order to attract more qualified young talent in the future, Harzheim is pushing for a more positive public portrayal of the swimming instructor profession. "The negative reports suggest that it's primarily a job that involves violence and riots. But it's a job with so many positive aspects." Recently, an incident in Gelnhausen, Hesse, reignited the discussion about the security situation in outdoor pools. Nine girls are said to have been sexually harassed by several young men. The public prosecutor's office is investigating. Press contact: Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung Editorial Office Telephone: +49(0)541/310 207 Original content from: Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung, transmitted by news aktuell Original report: https://www.presseportal.de/pm/58964/6069584