With Every Badge Comes Greater Responsibility
Whether at the lake, pool, or open sea – real safety starts with skill, knowledge, and responsibility. Want to do more than swim – to truly help when it counts? Then earning your lifeguard badge is the right step – from Bronze through Silver to Gold. Each level brings you closer to your goal: helping others in the water with confidence, control, and care. With RESTUBE by your side, you take that path boldly – and with the reassuring feeling of being well-prepared.
Step by Step to Water Rescue – How Each Badge Helps You Grow
From your first confident strokes to professional rescue readiness – earning your lifeguard certification means progressing through each level with intention. Whether Junior Rescuer, German Lifeguard Badge Bronze, Silver, Gold, or the Snorkeling Certificate – each qualification builds your physical, technical, and mental skills. You learn to assess situations, act precisely, and take responsibility for others. These certifications are recognized nationwide and follow official DLRG standards. If you’re ready to earn your lifeguard badge – here’s your ideal guide.
Junior Rescuer – A Fun Start to Water Rescue for Kids Age 10+
The Junior Rescuer program offers a playful introduction to water rescue. Kids aged 10+ who already hold the German Gold Swimming Badge can take part. This DLRG badge is not an official part of the lifeguard curriculum, but a standalone prep program. It teaches water safety rules, basic rescue techniques, and builds early confidence in swimming and towing – the perfect foundation for the Bronze badge.
What Junior Rescuers Learn:
- Swim 100 m continuously in all strokes
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Basic distance and deep diving
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Self- and assisted rescue techniques
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Towing using underarm grip
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Recognizing water dangers and safety rules
- First aid overview
Lifeguard badge in Bronze – Your Entry into Water Rescue
Bronze is where your journey begins. This badge gives you the fundamentals of water rescue – swimming and diving techniques, plus basic first aid.
Theoretical Exam Topics:
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Breathing & circulation
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Water hazards
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Help in bathing, boating & ice emergencies (self & assisted rescue)
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Escaping holds & release techniques
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First aid for drowning, heat/cold injuries
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DLRG roles & responsibilities
Practical Exam Requirements:
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200 m swim (100 m breast + 100 m backstroke with leg kicks only) in under 10 min
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100 m swim in clothing in under 4 min + undress in water
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Three 1-meter jumps (e.g. pencil, dive start, headfirst)
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15 m underwater swim
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50 m transport swim (pulling or pushing)
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Two deep dives (1 headfirst, 1 feet first), each retrieving a 5-kg object within 3 min
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Hold-release techniques
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50 m towing (25 m each with underarm/head grip and cuff grip)
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Combined rescue drill (20 m swim → dive → recover ring → 20 m tow)
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Demonstrate beach landing
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3-minute CPR
DRSA Bronze: Start Strong with RESTUBE ACTIVE
RESTUBE ACTIVE is the perfect companion as you train for Bronze. Lightweight and unobtrusive, this safety buoy provides support during early rescue drills and longer swims – helping you focus, stay calm, and tackle new challenges with confidence.
Lifeguard badge in Silver – More Skill, More Responsibility
Silver lifeguard badge is the most common qualification in Germany – ideal for public pools, schools, and clubs. It builds on Bronze with advanced techniques, legal knowledge, and rescue gear training.
Theory Exam (National Standard):
- Breathing & circulation system
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Water hazards
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Help in bathing, boating & ice emergencies
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Escaping holds & release techniques
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Legal duties in rescue
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Rescue gear use
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DLRG tasks & structure
Practical Exam:
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400 m swim (50 m crawl, 150 m breast, 200 m back/leg-only) in under 15 min
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300 m swim in clothing in under 12 min + undress in water
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3 m high jump
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25 m underwater swim
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Three deep dives (2 headfirst, 1 feet first) with 5-kg object (depth: 3–5 m, max 3 min)
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50 m transport swim in under 1:30 min
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Self-rescue: escaping holds and chokes
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50 m tow in clothing (half underarm/head grip, half cuff grip) in under 4 min
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Use of rescue gear (e.g. throw line, rescue tube, ring)
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Combined rescue scenario: jump → swim → dive → recover ring → escape hold → 25 m tow → secure & land → 3 min CPR
DRSA Silver: Push Your Limits with RESTUBE EXTREME
When training for Silver, RESTUBE EXTREME offers next-level performance. Its durability is ideal for high-intensity sessions, and with 75N of buoyancy, you’re well-prepared for real-life challenges – including active duty service.
Lifeguard badge in Gold – For Pros with Endurance and Experience
Ready to go big? Gold is the highest level and is aimed at experienced lifeguards with top-level swimming, rescue leadership, and tactical skills. You’ll train in realistic emergency scenarios under pressure.
Theory Exam (Nationwide Standard):
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Water hazards
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Using rescue equipment
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Emergency help in water
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Escape from holds
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Breathing & circulation system
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Legal duties
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DLRG tasks & structure
Practical Exam:
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300 m fin swim (250 m swim + 50 m towing in clothing) in under 6 min
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300 m swim in clothing + undress in water in under 9 min
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50 m transport swim in clothing in under 1:30 min
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100 m swim in under 1:40 min
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30 m underwater swim collecting 8 of 10 rings along 20 m
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Three deep dives in clothing (1 dive start), each retrieving two 5-kg rings (max 3 min)
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Escape from rear choke/hold
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Combined rescue in clothing:
→ Dive start → 25 m swim (30 sec) → dive for 5-kg ring → escape hold →
→ 25 m tow (60 sec) → secure & land → 3 min CPR
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Rescue gear deployment:
→ Throwing rescue ball w/line (6 throws in 5 min, 4 hits at 12 m)
→ Alternate rescue gear scenarios
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Resuscitation device use
DRSA Gold: Professional Training with RESTUBE LIFEGUARD
For Gold-level preparation, RESTUBE LIFEGUARD is the top-tier choice. Developed for professional rescue, it features integrated deployment systems to support training with real equipment and simulate complex situations. Perfect for mastering the highest standards of water safety.
German Snorkeling Certificate – Dive In with Confidence from Age 12
For those aged 12+, this certification teaches safe use of mask, snorkel, and fins, as well as proper diving and behavior in the emergency situations – a valuable complement to lifeguard training.
Theory Topics:
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Physical & physiological diving basics
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Equipment components, care & usage
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Proper underwater & surface behavior
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Demonstrate and explain key underwater signals
Practical Skills:
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600 m fin swim (200 m each front, back, side)
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200 m fin swim with one fin and arm motion
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30 m underwater swim without dive start
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30-second timed dive (holding permitted)
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In 3 m depth: remove & replace mask underwater
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3x deep dives to 3 m within one minute
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Combined scenario: → 50 m fin swim → 3–5 m dive & recover 5-kg ring → 50 m partner tow
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3 min CPR
This badge strengthens your underwater skills and boosts safety – ideal for vacations, water sports, or next-level lifeguard training.
Why You Should Complete Every Lifeguard Level – With RESTUBE by Your Side
Earning your lifeguard badge isn’t just about reaching the finish – it’s about embracing the journey. From Bronze through Silver to Gold, every level builds your expertise. You gain not only technical skills, but also judgment, responsibility, and mental strength. These increasing demands sharpen your endurance, precision, and foresight – abilities that could save lives in the water. Those who grow through each stage develop the calm confidence needed in real emergencies. RESTUBE is your trusted training partner – supporting you from your first rescue drill to your most confident swim.
Just remember: RESTUBE is not permitted in official exams and cannot be used as an aid.
Train with RESTUBE to build your skills, stay safe, and gain confidence with every stroke!
