Lifeguards won’t do CPR, operate ambulances

Sydney called on Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon to send lifeguards to get proper training. Lifeguards, he said, will go to the beaches and do what “they can do”, but not operate any ambulance.

“If people are drowning, they will be taken out the water but the lifeguards don’t have any training to save your life such as initiating CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation). They are going to stay away from that aspect of the job. We have written to OSH and we expect them to step in. Until then, we will not have any hand in these activities and OSH violations,” he explained.

Sydney indicated that lifeguards have been neglected by the Ministry of National Security and by extension the National Union of Government and Federated Workers ( NUGFW) for the last 36 years.

He indicated that lifeguards are yet to receive training in the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) course and that the Ministry has failed to provide proper training in how to use equipment contained in ambulances.

“The lifeguards do not have the Emergency Medical training in order to operate the ambulance and save lives. Also, lifeguards are on the beaches but do not have jet-ski or beach bikes to for use to help save lives.” “If someone is drowning and there is no jet-ski to reach them with speed, by the time the lifeguard swims out to meet the victim, the person may have already drowned. And what about the lifeguard? They swim out and when they reach the person, they themselves are tired and risk catching cramps and also drowning.”