The RESTUBE Water Safety Guide is a free, chapter-based online resource on water safety – written by experts, built for everyone who spends time in, on or around the water. The knowledge that keeps you and others safe – for all water activities like for example SUP, swimming, fishing, sailing and more. Researched, verified, and explained clearly by experts. New chapters added regularly.
Topics & contents
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KNOWLEDGEExplore Chapter →Water Safety Study
Survey of 1,834 water sports enthusiasts in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (2026) – and what the DLRG’s drowning statistics reveal.
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KNOWLEDGEExplore Chapter →Basics & Risks
Over 300,000 people drown every year. Most of them didn't see it coming - and most of it was preventable. This chapter explains how drowning actually happens, what risk factors to know, and what you can do before you ever enter the water.
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KNOWLEDGEExplore Chapter →Prevention
Prevention is the most powerful safety tool you have. In this chapter, you'll learn how to assess conditions before entering the water, spot the early signs of physical overexertion, fuel your body correctly for swimming, stay hydrated, and protect your skin from UV exposure. Everything you need to stay safe, feel strong, and keep control - every time you go in.
Every 2 min.
someone drowns somewhere in the world
Only 22%
of countries teach water safety in schools
393
people drowned in Germany in 2025
1 in 4
drowning victims is a child under 5
Why this safety guide
RESTUBE was born out of an accident. We hope this knowledge will save lives.
“The most beautiful moments on the water happen for me when people know what they're doing — for themselves and for others. Water safety therefore doesn't mean restriction, but responsibility, experience and trust in how we engage with our waterways.
The Water Safety Guide grew from this idea — as a living project that continues to evolve with experts, partners and the community. If you have ideas or thoughts to share, we'd love to hear from you.
Most Read
The most popular articles on water safety – swimming, SUP, drowning prevention and more.
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#1
BASICS & RISKSRead Article →Understanding Hydrodynamics: Currents, Surf And Water Movement
Water is never passive - it carries, pushes, and pulls. Beneath every calm surface, invisible forces are constantly at work, shaping currents, surf, and water movement in ways most people never notice. Understanding how water moves, why certain spots are far more dangerous than they appear, and how to recognise and respond to them can make all the difference when it matters most.
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#2
BASICS & RISKSRead Article →Cold Water, Storms And Visibility: What Every Water Sports Enthusiast Needs To Know
Water safety is significantly shaped by external environmental conditions: Factors that affect not only the water itself, but also the body's ability to function, react, and make decisions. What makes them particularly dangerous is that they rarely occur in isolation. Instead, they interact in ways that can increase risk exponentially. While hydrodynamic processes determine how water moves, environmental and weather conditions affect physical resilience, perception, and reaction time - making them just as critical to understand.
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#3
BASICS & RISKSRead Article →Dangerous River Currents: How To Spot Eddies, Weirs & Hidden Current Traps
In Germany, 153 people drowned in rivers and streams in 2025 (DLRG Drowning Statistics) - making flowing water the leading environment for drowning deaths. Currents in rivers are rarely uniform. Particularly in areas where the natural or man-made structure of the river changes, complex and often chaotic current patterns develop. This includes river bends, bridge pillars, weirs, locks, and other structures. It is precisely at these points that many accidents occur, because the forces at work there are difficult to detect and exceptionally strong.
For your safety in & on water
Interactive Tools
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New
TOOLOpen Tool →SPF Calculator for Water Activties
Not all skin is the same — and neither is sun protection. Enter your skin type, UV index and time outdoors to get your personal SPF recommendation in seconds.
Disclaimer
The content of the RESTUBE Water Safety Guide is provided for informational purposes only. While every article is researched and reviewed with care, we cannot guarantee that all information is complete, current, or free from error.
Nothing in this guide constitutes professional advice of any kind – including medical, legal, or safety instruction advice. It is not a substitute for qualified training, certified instruction, or official safety regulations. In a water emergency, always contact local emergency services immediately.
Experts are solely responsible for the opinions and recommendations they provide, and RESTUBE GmbH assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of this content.
Safety regulations and best practices vary by country and region. Always consult local authorities or qualified professionals for guidance specific to your situation and activity.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, RESTUBE GmbH accepts no liability for any loss, injury, or damage arising directly or indirectly from the use of or reliance on information contained in this guide.
All rights reserved. RESTUBE GmbH holds the copyright to this guide. Any publication or reproduction – in part or in full – requires our explicit written consent.