Nijmegen and Wijchen Lakes

Before Entering

• Check current Leisurelands conditions, posted permitted entries, water-quality notices and parking access.
• Plan your certified depth, gas, reserve, turn pressure, exit and surface emergency procedure. Arrange a qualified buddy and account for cold, dark water and silting visibility.
• At Berendonck, email De Kaaiman before using its club-managed site. Do not enter Aquavilla or any closed/overhead structure.
• Keep out of swimming zones unless authorized for the activity and away from cable sports and fishing areas.

If a Problem Occurs

Call 112 for any serious emergency. State which lake and access/parking location. For suspected decompression illness, arrange emergency evaluation and give high-concentration oxygen only if trained and equipped, following DAN guidance. Never try in-water recompression. Freedivers should use one-up/one-down safety cover with a qualified rescuer, never solitary depth attempts or hyperventilation.

The regional main emergency department is Radboudumc Spoedeisende Hulp, Geert Grooteplein 22, 6525 GA Nijmegen. It says the emergency department operates around the clock; for emergencies use 112 rather than heading directly to the hospital without coordination. For non-life-threatening urgent out-of-hours problems, Radboudumc lists the Nijmegen GP service at 024 352 35 79. For suspected dive injuries, call emergency services first and then DAN Europe at +39 06 4211 5685 if available for specialized coordination. A specific nearest operational recompression chamber was not verified; do not promise hyperbaric treatment onsite or arrange self-transfer to a chamber.

Both are heavily used freshwater recreation lakes, not marine parks. Stay in designated activity areas; leave fish, crayfish, aquatic plants and submerged objects undisturbed. Avoid contact with silty bottoms and plants where possible, and never collect or move fish, artifacts or wreck objects. Keep clean gear between freshwater sites to reduce the chance of transporting invasive organisms. Leisurelands requires proper disposal of litter and respect for other visitors; follow current posted conservation or access restrictions. Swim-water quality is monitored seasonally through provincial systems, with algae warnings possible.