Lifeguards back on the job, but ministry warns don’t drink and swim

Lifeguards have returned to the nation’s beaches as, according to the Ministry of Tourism in a release yesterday, “the full complement of lifeguards were on the nation’s beaches on Good Friday.” The ministry reported that in addition to the lifeguards it has put 13 temporary beach safety officers at Los Iros, Vessigny and Quinam; deployed a Coast Guard helicopter that has been circling the nation’s beaches and working with lifeguards and Coast Guard personnel on the ground; and stationed ambulances at Mayaro, Manzanilla and Maracas. They advised that although Coast Guard personnel will be on the North and East coast beaches to assist with crowd control, they would not be responsible for water rescues.

The ministry also recommended the following safety precautions:

Never swim alone; or when the sea is rough; or at night. Monitor small children and the elderly closely, even if there are lifeguards around. Obey the lifeguards as well as the beach safety flags and signs. If you are in trouble stay calm, float on your back and wave one arm for help. The ministry also warned beach goers not to consume alcohol and go into the water — alcohol negatively affects swimming skills and reduces the body’s ability to stay warm.