DLRG Landesverband Nordrhein e.V.

What DLRG Landesverband Nordrhein e.V. does

DLRG Landesverband Nordrhein e.V. is a registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) that operates as the North Rhine-Westphalia state-level branch (Landesverband) of DLRG, the world's largest water rescue organization. Founded in 1925 and headquartered in Düsseldorf, the association serves as the official partner for water rescue, swimming education, and civil protection (Katastrophenschutz) across NRW, operating more than 175 local branches (örtliche Gliederungen) that deliver services end-to-end within the federal state.

The organization's core service portfolio spans Wasserrettungsdienst (water rescue operations), swimming and rescue-swim certification, first aid and SAN training, diving education, swift water rescue (Strömungsrettung), boat operations (Bootswesen), information and communication support (IuK), search and rescue dogs (Rettungshunde), psychosocial emergency care (PSNV), disaster relief, school programs, rescue sports, and broader health sports. A dedicated youth sub-brand (DLRG Jugend Nordrhein) and the federal volunteer program (Bundesfreiwilligendienst) function as talent and member pipelines. Delivery is conducted through the local branch network plus a member-facing online portal for course registration and downloads.

Revenue is generated through a mix of membership fees (recurring subscription-style dues from individual members and local chapters), training and certification services for swimming, lifeguarding, first aid, and diving, and donations collected in support of water rescue equipment and Wasserrettungszüge operations. Pricing and aggregate revenue are not publicly disclosed; the state headquarters itself is staffed by approximately 10 paid employees, with the bulk of operational capacity provided by trained volunteers.

Name

DLRG Landesverband Nordrhein e.V.

Legal name

DLRG - DeutscheLebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft Landesverband Nordrhein e.V.

Website

https://nordrhein.dlrg.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

DLRG Landesverband Nordrhein e.V. is the North Rhine-Westphalia state branch of DLRG, the world's largest water rescue organization. Operating 175+ local branches since 1925, it delivers water rescue, swimming education, first aid and disaster relief services across the region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Rescue and Lifesaving Services

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Search & Rescue (Urban/Water/Wilderness) Coordination (HLAJAGAJ)

Keywords

• Water rescue services
• Swimming education
• First aid training
• Disaster relief coordination
• Lifeguard certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Düsseldorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Revenue generated from organizational membership fees paid by individual members and local chapters
2. Training and education services: Revenue from conducting training courses, seminars, and certification programs for swimming, lifeguarding, first aid, and diving
3. Donations and charitable contributions: Public donations collected to support water rescue equipment and operational capabilities, particularly for water rescue units (Wasserrettungszüge)

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

DLRG Landesverband Nordrhein e.V. delivers water rescue services (Wasserrettungsdienst), swimming and rescue swimming education, first aid and SAN training, diving and swift water rescue training, disaster relief coordination (Katastrophenschutz), boat operations, rescue dog units, and psychosocial emergency care. Services are delivered through more than 175 local branches across North Rhine-Westphalia, supported by an online member portal for training and event management.

Product overview

DLRG Landesverband Nordrhein e.V. is a non-profit water rescue organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of life-saving services. The organization operates as a unified service provider centered around water rescue operations (Wasserrettungsdienst), swimming education, and first aid training. Core offerings include rescue swimming certifications, diving operations, swift water rescue, boat operations, disaster relief coordination, rescue dog units, and psychosocial emergency care. The organization also provides broad educational services including first aid training, school programs, rescue sports, and health sports. With over 175 local branches (örtliche Gliederungen), the services are delivered through an integrated network structure rather than separate product modules. The youth wing (DLRG Jugend Nordrhein) operates as a distinct sub-brand focusing on youth development. The organization does not offer technology products but provides humanitarian and educational services focused on drowning prevention and water safety.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wasserrettungsdienst (WRD) Water rescue service providing emergency response and rescue operations in aquatic environments across North Rhine-Westphalia.
• Schwimmausbildung / Rettungsschwimmen Swimming education and rescue swimming certification programs, serving as the competent partner for all swimming training in North Rhine-Westphalia.
• Erste Hilfe / SAN Ausbildung First aid and paramedic training programs for members and the general public.
• Tauchausbildung Diving training and certification programs as part of the water rescue operations.
• Katastrophenschutz (KatS) Disaster protection and civil defense services coordinated with state authorities.
• Strömungsrettung Swift water rescue training and operations for fast-moving water environments.
• Bootswesen Boat operations and maritime rescue services including watercraft handling.
• Rettungshunde Search and rescue dog unit for locating missing persons.
• Psychosoziale Notfallversorgung (PSNV) Psychosocial emergency care and crisis counseling services for victims and relatives.
• Schule (Bildungsangebote) Educational programs for schools including swimming instruction and water safety awareness.
• Bundesfreiwilligendienst Federal voluntary service program allowing citizens to volunteer with the organization.
• DLRG Jugend Nordrhein Youth organization under the DLRG umbrella focusing on youth engagement, education, and leadership development.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• DLRG Bundesverband (DLRG Federal Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe state association operates under the national DLRG Bundesverband, which provides organizational standards, brand guidelines, coordinated training curricula, and national-level representation. The federal association enables resource sharing and unified operational protocols across all state and local chapters.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI): The RNLI is the UK's volunteer-led maritime rescue organization and the closest international functional equivalent to DLRG, operating lifeboat rescue, lifeguard services, and water safety education through a federated volunteer model.
• Wasserwacht (Bayerisches Rotes Kreuz): Wasserwacht is the water-rescue arm of the Bavarian Red Cross and DLRG's principal German counterpart, offering the same mix of water rescue, swim education, lifeguard training, and disaster relief under a parallel non-profit/Red Cross umbrella.
• Lifesaving Society Canada: The Lifesaving Society Canada is a national charity focused on drowning prevention, swim training, and lifeguard certification — closely mirroring DLRG's combination of public water safety education and rescue readiness.
• Surf Life Saving Australia: Surf Life Saving Australia is a volunteer-based organization delivering coastal water rescue, lifeguarding, and public water safety education — directly comparable in mission, volunteer-driven operating model, and community-service orientation to DLRG Nordrhein.

Others

• Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe: Johanniter is a German emergency-services non-profit delivering first-aid training, ambulance services, and civil protection; comparable as a fellow non-profit emergency-response organization in Germany though not specialized in water rescue.
• Malteser Hilfsdienst: Malteser is a major German emergency aid and civil-protection organization providing first-aid training, disaster relief, and emergency medical services; adjacent to DLRG's mission where it overlaps in first-aid training and Katastrophenschutz support.

Regional players

• DLRG Landesverband Baden-Württemberg: The Baden-Württemberg state association of DLRG mirrors DLRG Nordrhein's mission and operating model within a different German state — comparable in services and governance but non-competing geographically.
• DLRG Landesverband Bayern: The Bavarian state association of DLRG offers an identical service portfolio (water rescue, swim education, disaster relief) to DLRG Nordrhein but operates within a different German federal state, making it a structural sibling rather than a competitor.

Broad incumbents

• American Red Cross: The American Red Cross is a broad humanitarian incumbent in the US that, among many programs, operates lifeguard and water safety certification overlapping with DLRG's training and education offerings, but is not a water-rescue specialist.
• Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (DRK): The German Red Cross is the parent organization of Wasserwacht and the broader national emergency-response incumbent; it overlaps with DLRG Nordrhein in first-aid training, disaster relief, and emergency response, but does not focus exclusively on water rescue.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dlrg-landesverband-nordrhein-e-v

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about DLRG Landesverband Nordrhein e.V.