Bahrain’s pioneer water and swimming safety monitoring body has recruited more lifeguards as it launched the second edition of offering its services at a public coast.
Five trained lifeguards from Royal Life Saving Bahrain (RLSB) will be present from 10am until sunset every weekend and public holiday until the end of November at the Budaiya beach.
The GDN reported last year that the project, in partnership with the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, had chosen Budaiya as the first public coast to provide full-fledged lifeguard services.
According to RLSB safety executive Sam Rahman, discussions are underway to expand the services to other locations during the current season and hence more lifeguards have been recruited.
“RLSB has been busy this winter making preparations for the 2020 beach season,” he told the GDN.
“Five lifeguards will be present from 10am until sunset every weekend and public holiday until the end of November at Budaiya beach.
“We have a mix of full-time and part-time lifeguards, and are in talks with a number of entities to provide the service this year at other locations and so have recruited more lifeguards.
“We hope to see the RLSB lifeguard service on all public beaches in Bahrain.”
RLSB currently has around 40 trained lifeguards, of which 18 are new and 22 returning from last season.
This includes 36 Bahrainis, one German, one Sri Lankan, one Indian, one Kenyan and one half Russian.
“As our communities are multicultural it is important that our team is able to communicate in a range of languages to ensure visitors understand how to stay safe at the beach,” explained Mr Rahman.
“Last year, we had 243 applicants for 24 lifeguard positions but this season, the number rose to 296 for 40 lifeguard positions, of which 36 have been filled by Bahraini citizens.
“Applicants completed a 400m swim test, as well as appeared for two interviews to ensure they have what it takes to be a professional beach lifeguard.
“The newest recruits have been training hard to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to take on this role.
“Currently, we have confirmed Budaiya and Golden Beach in Durrat as places to have lifeguards on a full-time basis.
“We are in discussions for two other beaches as well as some swimming pool locations.”
The GDN reported last year that no incidents of drowning or serious injuries have been reported at beaches guarded by professional lifeguards.
Last year, RLSB lifeguard services across Bahrain recorded more than 16,000 beach visits on service days.
“Lifeguards recorded 3,421 preventative actions, where 167 people required first aid treatment which was provided by our lifeguards,” said Mr Rahman.
“They rescued 106 people and most importantly, there was no one who required hospital treatment for drowning or serious injury during our lifeguard services.
“The lifeguards are trained to actively engage with beach visitors to educate them on beach safety, respect for the environment, and to take preventative actions to reduce the number of rescues needed.”
raji@gdn.com.bh
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