A large-scale rescue exercise at Wolfssee in Duisburg has once again demonstrated how essential well-planned safety measures are around open water. Alongside boats, helicopters, and numerous emergency teams, RESTUBE also played an important role.
The exercise attracted many spectators and highlighted one key point: Only when infrastructure, technology, and trained responders work seamlessly together can rescues be truly effective. Our rescue devices took on a crucial role – providing immediate support for people in distress and ensuring they could be spotted quickly thanks to its bright signal color.
Training under Realistic Conditions
“We have received training from RESTUBE and studied videos, but today is the first time we’re practicing with the buoy,” explained Dr. Sascha Zeiger, Medical Director of the Duisburg Fire Department’s rescue service. Strong gusts of wind across the lake added to the realism of the scenario.
The exercise began with a rescue boat from the German Lifesaving Society (DLRG) dropping two “casualties” into the water. Shortly after, a helicopter approached, circled the scene, and released two RESTUBE Emergency Flotation Devices with precise maneuvers. Within seconds, the buoys inflated automatically – the “swimmers in distress” could hold on for support and were immediately visible thanks to the neon yellow design.
This scenario was repeated several times before moving on to the second part of the drill: testing the AUTOMATIC 180. This model is designed especially for offshore operations. Compact and easy to throw, it inflates to a size large enough to secure up to four people at once. Even under strong winds and rotor downwash, the deployment was pinpoint accurate.
Working Together for Greater Safety
The Wolfssee exercise clearly showed that modern rescue concepts work best when technology, training, and awareness come together.
At RESTUBE, we see initiatives like this as a powerful confirmation of our mission: to make water activities safer – for everyone in, on, or around the water.
