The German swimming badge (German: Deutsches Schwimmabzeichen) is awarded by members of the Wasserwacht

Wasserwacht

The Wasserwacht is a German lifeguard service. It is one of the five voluntary societies of the German Red Cross. The Wasserwacht is a non-profit organization made up of on volunteers.- Tasks :The main task of the Wasserwacht is the prevention of drowning...

 of the German Red Cross and the DLRG

DLRG

The Deutsche Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft e.V. is a relief organization for life saving in Germany. The DLRG is a non-profit, independent organization based on volunteers.-Tasks:...

for completing certain requirements and for demonstrating swimming skills.

German swimming badge in bronze

• 200m swim in less than 7 minutes
• Proficiency in swimming rules

German swimming badge in silver

• 400m swim in less than 12 minutes
• 2x Diving to a depth of 2m and retrieving a ring
• 10m dive on one breath
• Two different jumps from springboard of 1 meter height
• Proficiency in swimming rules

German swimming badge in gold

• 1000m swim in less than 24 minutes for men and 29 minutes for women
• 100m swim in less than 1:50 minutes for men and 2 minutes for women
• 100m backstroke (50m in upside-down position with without arm activity)
• 3x Diving to a depth of 2m and retrieving a ring
• 15m dive on one breath
• One jump from a springboard of 3m height or two different jumps from springboard of 1 meter height
• 50 meters rescue pulling or pushing stroke
• Proficiency in swimming rules
• Knowledge of hazards and rescue measures for boat accidents or ice accidents

Badge for constant swimming

The Dauerschwimmer badge is awarded for

• Bronze for one hour
• Silver for one hour and a half
• Gold for two hours

The design of the patch features a death's head.
Due to the danger of hypothermia during the long exposure to water many swim coaches or lifeguards offer the badge for constant swimming only under strict conditions or not at all.