Heroines of the night: Two policewomen save a man from raging water!

Heroines of the night: Two policewomen save a man from raging water!

On Friday, July 4th, a dramatic rescue act took place near the Rodenkirchen Bridge in Cologne. Two brave police officers did everything they could to save a 28-year-old man from the raging waters of the Rhine, where he had previously gotten into trouble.

At about 11:40 a.m., passersby noticed a man trying to hold on to a dog leash. This had been thrown to him by helpful local residents from a jetty behind a houseboat. However, the current of the Rhine was so strong that the man could not escape to the bank on his own. The “Arnold 12/48” patrol was on the scene quickly and kept the situation under control.

Deployment of rescue workers

The two police officers reacted promptly and threw the 28-year-old a lifeline. Using their combined efforts, they pulled him out of the water and to the safety of the shore. He stated that he accidentally fell into the Rhine. After being rescued, he was immediately taken to a clinic for further medical care. Fortunately, his condition was good and he remains in the hospital for observation.

But these events shed light on the risks of drowning, which cause frequent swimming accidents, especially in the warm season. Thieme.de points out that 1-2 out of 100,000 people have fatal accidents every year, with a 5 to 10 times higher number of near-drownings. The situation is particularly dire for children: 20% of drowning victims are under five years old.

What happens when you drown?

Drowning is caused by water entering the respiratory tract, leading to acute hypoxia and possible organ failure. Hasty reflexes and shock reactions can cause death by swimming. Near-drowning means that an affected person survives for more than 24 hours after an incident, a dramatic experience that is nevertheless not without consequences.

First aid can be crucial in preventing a tragedy. ADAC explains that in the event of accidents in the water, the emergency number should be called 112 immediately. If possible, floats should be thrown and your own safety should be considered. In an emergency, it is important to reach the drowning person from behind and keep their head above water.

When someone is rescued, it is crucial to quickly check that the victim is conscious and breathing normally. If this is not the case, resuscitation must begin immediately. Even if the person recovers quickly, a medical examination is always advisable to rule out possible complications.

Finally, the incident in Cologne shows how important it is to take the dangers of water seriously and to act in a timely manner. The police officers' calm actions saved lives in this case and are an urgent appeal to everyone to always keep safety in and around the water in mind.