Water rescue

Lugano is fortunate to be crossed by a river and to face a beautiful lake. For the safety of residents and visitors, the City of Lugano entrusts prevention and rescue operations in and near the water to Società Svizzera di Salvataggio – Sezione Lugano (Swiss Lifesaving Society – Lugano Section, SSSL).

Through the free emergency number 144 of Ticino Soccorso (Ticino Rescue), available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year from any landline or mobile phone, all urgent or emergency situations can be reported, and an immediate response is ensured with the dispatch of the necessary rescue resources.
 

SSSL – Società Svizzera di Salvataggio – Sezione Lugano also carries out other important initiatives:

• lake-based prevention and safety services
   
• information on dangers and risks related to water
   
• training of specialized rapid-response groups (GPI – Rapid Intervention Groups) and their drills
   
• training in aquatic environments with lifesaving courses
   
• first-aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR/AED – RCP/DAE)
   
• collaboration with Polizia lacuale (Lake Police), Croce Verde Lugano (Green Cross Lugano – ambulance service), Corpo Civici Pompieri di Lugano (Lugano Fire Brigade), Swiss Alpine Rescue (Soccorso Alpino Svizzero), and other rescue and water-sports organizations
   
• collaboration with the Commissione consultiva del Consiglio di Stato “Acque sicure” (Advisory Commission of the Council of State “Safe Waters”, Canton Ticino) on specific projects, and the patrol mandate at the Foce del Cassarate (mouth of the Cassarate River) during the summer months, co-financed with the City of Lugano
   
• training and maintenance of Unità Cinofile Operative di Salvataggio – UC (Operational Rescue Dog Units – UC) as an additional prevention and safety service for the waters of the entire Lake Lugano (Ceresio). These units have also received official recognition from the Dipartimento delle istituzioni (Department of Institutions – Canton Ticino) as a reference canine school across the territory.
   

To ensure all these activities, SSSL is equipped with high-performance rescue equipment and tools, such as special lifting balloons (idrodyn), underwater scooters, full-face masks, an underwater drone, a thermal imager, and much more for search and recovery.