KNRM Lifeguards

Where are the KNRM Lifeguards?
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No lifeguard in the area but an emergency?
Call 112, if it is not an emergency, please call the police or it coast guard center.
In the summer months, KNRM lifeguards provide beach surveillance on the four Frisian Wadden Islands of Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog.

Emergency phone numbers in case of emergency
‍CALL 112 FOR EMERGENCIES
‍CALL 0900-0111 FOR COAST GUARD CENTER
‍CALL 0900-8844 FOR POLICE WITHOUT URGENCY
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Swimming in the sea
During the summer holidays, our lifeguards are present daily at the locations mentioned to monitor the beaches. They try to give every bather a safe day at the beach. For 13 years, the KNRM surveillance concept has been based on zone monitoring by means of 2 red/yellow flags at the waterline. Based on a daily risk inventory, the lifeguards set out this swimming area. Within this swimming area, lifeguards actively supervise the waterline and prevent conflicting activities such as kite, wind and wave surfing. The swimming compartment is limited in width to ensure that a lifeguard is able to reach the victim within 3 minutes.
The KNRM lifeguards provide information and tips and keep a close eye on what happens on and in the water off the coast. For example, lifeguards try to prevent bathers and swimmers from getting into trouble. If that does happen, they immediately launch a rescue operation.
Swim safely, but consciously
Our lifeguards know the dangers of the sea and 'read' the water. They do everything they can to ensure that beach guests can recreate safely. They are alert to what is happening in the water. In case of offshore wind, for example, you can quickly float away when you go out to sea with air mattresses, dinghies or beach balls. It is also not wise to swim where you no longer feel the bottom and can't stand. A major danger for beachside swimmers are mice. In this space between two sandbanks, a strong current is created from the coast to the sea. Offshore wind creates waves in the surf that strengthen the mouse flow. Mouse flows occur at both low tide and high tide, in bad and nice weather, and during large and small waves. Our lifeguards are trained in recognizing mice. There are no mice in the swimming area between the flags. Are you unsure whether the conditions are good for swimming? Ask our lifeguards or don't go further than up to your knees in the water. Even good swimmers can get into trouble in a mouse stream.

Source: https://www.knrm.nl/preventie/veilig-het-water-op/strandbezoekers