Lifeguards get beefed up ‘rides’

Minister of Tourism Howard Chin Lee braved the rainy weather yesterday to commission two all-terrain vehicles (ATV), two jet skis, an ambulance and a 16-seater bus for use on the Maracas, Mayaro and Manzanilla beaches.

Chin Lee said the ministry had taken steps to increase the professionalism and efficiency within the lifeguard unit which included sending three lifeguards to an intensive training programme at the Galveston Lifeguard Academy in Texas.

He said at Galveston, lifeguards were exposed to the latest techniques in lifeguard facilities management as well as given the opportunity to visit lifeguard facilities in Daytona, Miami and observe first-hand, best practices from one of the world’s leading agencies.

Chin Lee added the ministry also conducted regular training programmes in CPR, use of specialist equipment, scuba diving, advanced level first aid, survival techniques and rescue skills.

He stated that in 2005, over 25 lifeguards were highly successful in an intensive water rescue craft operation course that was conducted in Maracas and Mayaro by Surf Life Saving Queensland Authority of Australia.

Permanent secretary Jacqueline Ganteaume-Farrel said in 2005 the ministry provided the Lifeguard Services Unit with three jet skis, now stationed on the Maracas, Manzanilla and Mayaro beaches, one rescue craft, located at Las Cuevas, two ATVs located at Las Cuevas and Mayaro; one ambulance, stationed at Maracas, and a bus for transportation of lifeguards at Mayaro.

She said since the introduction of the equipment, there were 61 rescues with few fatal incidents. The new jet skis, Ganteaume-Farrel said, will be sent to Las Cuevas and Mayaro and the ATVs to Mayaro and Manzanilla, while the new ambulance will be stationed at Manzanilla.

The Lifeguard Services Unit culminated the event with a demonstration of a lifeguard rescue operation which incorporated the use of the new equipment.