Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Emergency tree trimming briefly closes bay Sunday morning

Emergency tree trimming briefly closes bay Sunday morning

HONOLULU —Haunama Bay was closed for several hours Sunday morning for emergency tree trimming. A county lifeguard claims the work should have been done weeks ago and he was injured because of the delay.
Click here to watch Paul Drewes' report.
When Haunama Bay reopened mid-Sunday morning, the coconut trees that line the popular bay had been trimmed. Loose fronds were removed and the growing fruit was gone.
As usual, many in the crowd picked a prime spot in the shade of the swaying trees.
The same spot over the past few weeks would have come with coconuts which littered the ground after they fell from high above.
"When we see stuff like that we'll go up to them and tell them, 'You may want to move away from the coconut trees'. Visitors don't see it. They're on vacation, they don't see hazards," said lifeguard Harold Teshima.
Teshima said the lifeguards saw the danger and let the city know weeks ago.
"Whoever was supposed to cut those trees, they didn't take it serious. They didn't cut the trees when they should have been cut. These are good sized coconuts that have been falling," said Teshima.
Teshima found out just how dangerous the growing coconuts could be while working at his lifeguard tower on Friday.
"I went downstairs and the next thing I know my partner was telling me to sit back down, I reached up and felt blood dripping down to my nose," said Teshima.
The crack with a coconut knocked him out and split open his forehead. Fortunately fellow lifeguards were right there.
"They packaged me and called EMS. They took me to Queen's Medical Center where they ran me through some tests, and a CAT scan. I ended up having a concussion," stated Teshima.
The veteran lifeguard would normally be working at Haunama Bay on a Sunday,
instead he is at home dealing with the nausea and headaches from his injury.
As he wonders how long those effects will last, Teshima realizes even though it's bad for him it could have been a lot worse.
"If it didn't happen to me, it could have happened to a child or an infant. It could have been fatal for them, it could have fatal for me. Luckily it hit me on the forehead instead of straight center on the top of my head," said Teshima.
Lifeguarding is a very physical job, and injuries aren't uncommon, but Teshima said he never expected this type of injury.
"We bring people in through high surf and dangerous shore breaks and reefs. We expect to get injured it comes with the job, but the injury I have now doesn't come with the job. It is something that should have been prevented," said Teshima.
The city did not mention Teshima's injury as the reason for the emergency closure and tree trimming. Instead it cited damage from Hurricane Ana as the reason why the work could not wait until Tuesday, which is when Hanauma Bay is normally closed.

What is the lowest and highest temperature that you can sunbathe comfortably?

What is the lowest and highest temperature that you can sunbathe comfortably?

I having seen lots of ‘sun lovers’ looking for a tan skin…and tan was everything to them. They pay highs rates in the world for some hotels that facilities a beach with good sun lounge. Any way can I discuss a topic with you that one day will be very impotent to your life more than a colour of your skin? I know it’s I ask from you a bit of a strange question but I hope you will be get interest later.

1. Do you know some peoples are suffering from skin cancer? (By the being in the sun often over time)
2. Do you know why sun so bad to your skin?
3. Do you know what parts of the body is skin cancer most likely to occur?
4. Do you know how to prevent skin cancer?
5. Do you know the lowest and highest temperature that you can sun bath comfortably?

So let me start you with telling you about sun’s rays, for our naked eyes sun lights are simple phenomena that every day happen, everybody like the sun lights enjoying whatever they need under the sun. But remember which are called ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays (UVA and UVB rays) include in the sunlight damage your skin leads to skin cancer. Melanomas can develop anywhere on your body, like in the eyes,mouth,back,legs,arm,under the nail, digestive tract, urinary tract, chest of men, vagina and on your face and hidden area of your body like spaces between your toes and on your palms, soles, scalp or genitals etc.
So now you know melanoma can develop anywhere. What is your decision? You need to be tan skin holder or safe? Answer in your hand. Remember a tan is the body’s attempt to protect itself from the sun’s harmful rays.

Before you go outing in the sun it’s very important to the look and listen for the UV index level in local weather forecast. And follow the five protective ways.

S-Slip on sun protective clothing
S-Slop on SPF30+ sunscreen, reapply every two hours
S-Slap on a broad -brimmed hat
S-seek shade
S-Slid on a wrap-around sunglass

Finally remember your baby’s and under fives skin is 15 times thinner than an adults. Also young children do not understand the risks. Cloud and water will not protect you; sun rays go through clouds reach swimmers at underwater one foot below. Avoid the sun from 11 am to 3 pm. If you’re sun enthusiast check your skin yourself every month. Your personal tolerance to heat is no more value over exposure to UV radiation is danger

UV radiation is and invisible killer avoid it…

By O.W.Palitha Ariyarathna
Deep Sea Diver & Rescuer

No one drown proof

No one drown proof


No matter of what the season is beach lover will be taking part in water-related activities. Here Danger is when someone enjoying activity like swimming in open water. Are they are safe? Because they are good swimmers or because they are particularly doing it?
 
Remember no one drown proof!

Usually we know (Rescuers) the entire event will be at places of where there is no lifeguard or rescue operation present. It’s and Hazard that we (Human) have to mange carefully. Governments Authority and public must be put in consider how many years we will suffer if our family members or loved one missing in tragic water related accident. By The many leading papers around the world peoples are reading cases of drowning specially it’s happen when the safety ignorance by peoples and when adult supervision or safety precaution underestimate. Last year at every countries there is drowning incident still statically even the safety officers are do not know how many people’s are been nearly drowned at some point in their life. To reduce the drowning Developing of lifesaving skills are very important. Administration at any country should take safety precaution to stop drowning happened at their own countries also holding an international council for safety measure can did by engaging with lifesaving organizations at around the world. Also if possible should be every beach and pools are monitors by qualified lifeguards, qualified rescuers. In other way around as a public responsibly or even as an our own safety, even as for moral conduct peoples we are heading to the beach or the pool important to arm our self with the ability of save lives by getting trained in CPR and get to know the proper use of a Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

If we can act National CPR/AED Awareness Week at our own countries then we will be able to save more life in coming years. You have to know More lives can be saved if more persons are knows CPR and how to use a AED. Government or charities can host events, and provide educational information on the importance of First Aid, CPR, and AED and how to go for safe swim.

Let’s learn vital knowledge and skills to respond to a life-threatening situation with confidence.

Palitha Ariyarathna
Deep Sea Diver & Rescuer

Numbers of life guards

Numbers of life guards



Adequate numbers of life guards are always essential to stop drowning happening at the pool or beach area. Many people’s are assume that drowning persons are easy to identify because they show obvious signs of distress. Instead, people tend to drown quietly and quickly. When some drowning the drowning person rarely able to call out or wave their arms when they are in distress in the water. Drowning person can submerge in the water 20-60 second and there for lifeguards are should be never assigning to duties that distract them from keeping an eye on the water. Lifeguards are responsible for the general aquatic safety of everyone and Behalf of effective supervision and control also for not to put swimmers at the risk of drowning the increasing the number of lifeguards must be consider at first priority by any swimming pool or beach facility operator . In additional below reason are also determined when the number of lifeguard increasing by Aquatic facility operator.

1. The design of the pool-( physical Hazard)
Design of the pool affects the number of lifeguards, the pool special feature like slide, water curtain, floor geyser, water channel, waterfall, islands, bridges, garden works, size and shape of the pool, and isolated pool features, those physical Hazard cannot change by the lifeguards and blind corner of the pool or unmonitored pool area can welcome the dead by drowning and in a such a incident can pull the police present at the operational area also involved of media can give bad image on the governing organization.

2. Lifeguards Hazard-
Number of lifeguards, how they work and their responsibility and ability, (the workload of the one lifeguard should be carefully divided)

3. People Hazard-
The age of the pool guest using and number of swimmers, the way they are behaving, bather with disability, and peoples in poor health, nervous or timid personal, bathers under the influence of alcohol or drug etc.

4. Activity Hazard-
The pool users what they doing and its planned or unpredictable, swimmers near water features, ducking, fighting, running, gymnastic, acrobatic ,boisterous games, under water swimming hyperventilation (lose conscious without warning)pushing, bombing, diving, using some equipment in the water (buoyant swimming aid are not toys)types of activity and the program offered.

5. Manning-
Lifeguards can work together to provide a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone. Also few life guards cannot enforce the laws of the beach or pool they are watching over up to the organizational stand. In other way to mange break time, day off, vacation, sick leave, attended to back up in emergency and clear the pool in advance for emergency preparedness, for lateral service, attend to visitors special request, to do positive guest engagement and keep the safe while using Aquatic facility manning the expect level of life guards are highly reasonable.

6. Whether issues-
Heat, wintry, rain, snow, altitude, wind, condition of the sea, geological differences, natural disaster etc.

7. Equipment-
Rescue equipment, (such as an Aquatic spinal board), Automated external defibrillators (trained staff) Oxygen, stretchers, specify vehicles and casualty handling equipment in the water and land.

In Addition to above factors, aquatic facility operator should consider public attitude about lifeguards and legal issues related to the using lifeguards within governments needs.

O.W.Palitha Ariyarathna
Deep sea Diver & Rescuer

Basic safety tips for swimming

Basic safety tips for swimming


Basic safety tips for swimming

The long summer months are upon us with their soaring temperatures and soaking humidities. This is the time when beaches and swimming pools become popular destinations for relaxation.

Taking a trip to the nearby beach for a day of swimming, or spending an afternoon at a community swimming pool to cool down, may lead to a drowning tragedy in your family if you are not aware about water safety. Everyone should be aware of the risk of these incidents as they happen regularly in the world.

Take the necessary precautions to keep you and your family safe. Drownings can happen in a matter of seconds. What makes them even more insidious is that there is usually no noise , splashing or screaming to warn of trouble. Children are particularly susceptible to drowning because they like to play in water, they move quickly and they do not associate water with danger.

A temporary lapse in adult supervision is a common factor in most drowning and near drowning incidents. Parents must be aware that children can drown in as a little as one inch of water.

Safety can be enhanced if swimmers follow these simple rules:

1. Learn how to swim. You would be amazed at how many children go into the water without knowing how to swim.
2. Never swim alone, always swim with a buddy.
3. Never swim or wade in the water after sunset.
4. Swim in supervised areas that have lifeguards on duty.
5. Report any missing children to the lifeguard immediately.
6. Obey the warning signs and notices around your swimming area- they are there for everyone’s safety.
7. Stop swimming at the first sign of bad weather; always pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts.
8. Always listen to the lifeguard’s advice and heed any warnings. If in doubt ask the lifeguard to explain something that you do not understand.
9. Don’t try to swim against the current if caught in one. Swim gradually out of the current by swimming across it.
10. Do not consider air-filled devices and toys, such as water wings, or even approved flotation devices as substitutes for adult supervision. These devices can suddenly shift position, lose air, or slip out from underneath your child, exposing them to danger.

O W Palitha Ariyarathna, rescuer and deep sea diver

Jet Skiing to Safety

Jet Skiing to Safety




Jet skis are popular items on water ways around the the world. Skiing up and down the beach with the driver or passenger waving to people on the shore is a frequent scene during the summer. Here are guidelines to help you enjoy this fun sport safely

• Make sure that the driver and the passenger wear personal flotation devices.
• Wear the proper gear such as wet suits, goggles, gloves, and foot wear/deck shoes.
• Always wear or attach to your wrist a small, mouth operated whistle.
• Check the fuel level before starting. Make sure you have enough fuel to return to shore.
• Drivers and passenger should always keep both feet on the floor footrest. Keep your hands, feet, hair, and clothing away from the pump intake.
• Never operate a jet ski in less than 0.30 m of water.
• Pay close attention to your speed around swimming areas, beaches, docks, and waterfronts.
• Never go alone. Always take a buddy with you.
• Children under the age of 16 years should not operate a jet ski.
• Never operate a jet ski after dark or before sun rise.
Following the above precautions will allow you to enjoy an exciting water sport safely this summer.

Palitha Ariyarathna,
Rescuer and deep sea Diver

Being a Lifeguard is Hard Work

Being a Lifeguard is Hard Work


I have a experience as a lifeguard for many years. Sometimes I wonder how I can explain to the community that to be a lifeguard is not that easy. To the untrained eye, it appears that lifeguard just sit on their high chairs and do nothing at pool sides or the beach.

Not so. The truth is lifeguards are much busier than they appear. They have to prevent accidents, provide supervision, observe any mishap and stop it from becoming serious, participate in training sessions, perform simulated rescues, and deal with emergency response teams in moving casualties to ambulances. All these tasks augment a lifeguard’s basic job.

We must constantly monitor crowds of swimmers – some of the larger water parks, swimming pools and beaches can accommodate as many as 1,500 – in ways that may not be obvious. It’s not easy to provide for their safety but we do it.

OW Palitha Ariyarathna
Deep Sea Diver & Rescuer

Use of well design lifeguards service

Use of well design lifeguards service


As a professional lifeguard, you must be skilled in the recognition and handling of a suspected spinal injury.
As a professional lifeguard, you must be skilled in the recognition and handling of a suspected spinal injury.

Use of well design lifeguards service to Reduce drowning at water front Facilities (Hotels, Beach Resorts, Water sports Centers)

Providing quality life guarding services at water recreational facilities are effective in preventing drowning, some decision makers may elect not to hire many lifeguards. In that Case, Facility operator should be considering environmental modifications to the facility can still improve safety for Guests. Such as barriers, No swimming area, divided swimming area, divided boating area, posting correct sign and regulation boards, also educating the guest is very important. The cost of a single catastrophic injury or death while using an aquatic facility can be substantial. Experts have described the costs of unintentional death through two measures. The economic costs framework measures the victim’s productivity loss and the expenses related to the event. Comprehensive costs include the economic loss, as well as the value of lost quality of life associated with the death or injury. Although water-related injuries and drowning already result in tremendous costs, they would be substantially higher without lifeguards. One way of describing these costs are to estimate that one percent of the total rescues made by lifeguards would have resulted in a drowning death in the absence of lifeguards. If really facility operator needs to reduce the number of drowning then they have to deploy real lifeguard service. Decision to provide lifeguard protection can be influenced by civil liability laws too.

(Which may hold the owners of aquatic areas and the lifeguards they employ responsible for fatal and nonfatal injuries?)

One aspect of liability involves malfeasance. In most Countries, lifeguards, like other safety providers, are expected to act within a standard of care set by their training, local protocols, and past court rulings. A variation from the standard of care may result in liability. Another aspect of liability involves the condition of the facility and the quality of warning or protection provided. Laws which encourage placement of lifeguards, although more expensive, can logically be expected to enhance Guest safety.

Let turn now to Decision Maker’s Guide to Lifeguard Protection:

The decision to protect the public (If use Beach in front of the hotel or nearby Beach, Note: Unauthorized Fishermen and public swimmer can use the beaches ) and Guest use in an aquatic facility, either by providing lifeguards or using another preventive strategy such as signage, requires careful assessment of the alternatives available to the facility or jurisdiction.

1) Use any relevant data available on the facility or jurisdiction. Data may include if not have to discover:

• The number of Hotel Guest intend using the facility or beach area during the days (+ Guest in villas, Rooms, out side guest)
• The Number of Beach goers or other activities can happen front of the water way
• The incidence of water-related injuries and drowning at the nearby facility or beach during past times;
• The number of water-related injuries and drowning at pools and beaches at your local area or (countries) with and without lifeguards, (for comparison)
• The level of lifeguards provided (e.g., number of lifeguards per number of persons using the facility).

(2) If lifeguards are already provided, then ask the questions:

• How have lifeguards affected patrons’ safety and attitudes?
• Which Qualification is Lifeguards should be holding (Beach Lifeguard Qualification etc…?)
• Is the drowning rate increasing, decreasing, or has it remained unchanged? In the area (Research)
• Find the Type of Hazard at beach (And note down effective action plan to reduce or control the Hazard)
1. Physical Hazard
2. People Hazard
3. Activity Hazard
4. Lifeguards Hazard
5. Weather
6.   Water-(The effects of tidal currents in the Ocean as well as movement of water in and out of canals and flow of currents can be extremely swift because water leaving the nearby bridges river at high flowing rate because between the bridges edge are very narrow ( than a large canal). Check the Ariel view of nearby area what method can adopts for stop this swift water (few bunts toward to the canal water, also its aim includes stopping soil erosion too.) also there is present of sediment at this area can highly hazard for swimmers especially for children).
Sub type:
1. Natural
2. Man Made
3. Land
4. Water
5. Tide
6. Waves
7. Current

(3) Rescue Boat and jet key-Rescue craft should be daily deploying in the water. (With licensed rescue craft operators). Boat and jets key will be help in swift water rescue at water canals and specially it will be helping reaching casualty in the open water more safely and quickly.

(4) Considering to Assess proposed alternatives (e.g., hiring lifeguards, placing warning signs, modifying the aquatic environment or restricting access to the facility and preventing direct entrance to water front by barriers, by Security guards Note: attention should be specially for private residential Villas area all the direct entrance to canal water or open water should be Guarded or avoided ).

When making choices about drowning prevention interventions in water front facilities, decision makers must balance a sincere desire to protect the public and guest.

In this report, writer has attempted to provide useful information that can be applied when making the decisions regarding Aquatic safety Operation. Remember always most effective drowning prevention intervention is to provide trained, professional lifeguards at the area (where lifeguards present should needs). Lifeguards can conduct patron surveillance and supervision at aquatic facilities and beach areas they will avoid unintentional death (Drowning)

By Palitha Ariyarathna

Open water swimming competition safety

Open water swimming competition safety



Open water swimming has become an one of fastest growing sport around the world and athletes, coaches, administrators, parents and other officials must recognize that the open water environment involves variable conditions, such as a wave, current, marine life, drag by lake and river water, and wind is at times unpredictable and can become dangerous quickly. With the rapid growing in open water swimming events even the inexperience competitor, athletes willing to go ahead and enter to the swimming competition without having much experience.

‘Remember even best athletic (Best swimmer) can Victim of drowning’
‘Victim suddenly can vanish under the large wave or in murky water. Hidden debris under the muddy water and imminent danger’

It’s very important that open water event directors or government refersentive, health care professionals advise safety personnel, and event organizer what is the correct protocol for protect the safety of all involved. Sudden weather or naturals phenomenon changes can highly affect to the safety of swimmer and all competitors and participant should be preferred for adjust themselves with further safety protocol (Wetsuits and other technical swimsuit that may offer buoyancy or additional protection from cold elements, also wearing sharp colour orange swimming caps, etc) and event organizer should make necessary adjustment order to protect athletic and other all other involving in the event.( Example: Rescuers should be equipped with wetsuits, dry suits or clothing that will enables them to perform safely their duties in the water)
Event safety requirement must conceders long before the event happening and all the athletics are must receive safety meeting by safety personal before deployment onto the course at least 15 minutes earlier.
‘Briefing to all swimmers and Unified Partners as well as coaches and officials are advisable also translating the message for athletes in their favorite language is acceptable’

Now at many countries open water swimming has been become popular and there for specially government bodies must consider and rule the third party organization conducting open water swimming competition for swimmer and must acknowledge them a how to provide possible safe condition for swimmer.
Any organization must be declare earlier dangers weather condition and should shortening the course, changing the direction or must be postpone event of the day that can held the open water swimming competition safely. Open water event can conduct in any natural or manmade body of water approval should do by local health or environmental protection agencies. The safety officer and event organizer must be meeting with government officials for developed pre-event emergency action plan for worse scenarios. Safety equipment and considerable man power (Trained and certified rescuers) must be accumulate with maximum number and rescued crafts, paddle boards, radio, spinal boards, ambulance, also lifeguard or rescuer in the water wearing fins for assist the swimmer is distress and very important protocol.
Land water based safety personnel are very important in open water swimming competition. Missing swimmer or submerged Victim must be quickly recovered from the water. Every type of rescue crafts and lifeguard or rescuer must be in 30 second distance away from a swimmer.

The minimum water temperature for conducting open water swimming is 16 c (60.8 F) and maximum can be 31c (87.8 F). Race shall not take place when combined air and water temperature when added together are 33 C (91.4 F) also in other way races over 800 meters in distance shall not take in place if the combined air and water temperature when added together are 63 c (145.4 F).Swimmer are allowed wear wet suit if the water temperature below 29 c (82.2 F) its become a mandatory water temperature falls under 17 c (62.6 F) if water temperature above 28 c (82.4 F) wet suit is not allowed.

In any competition there is eligibility minimum age requirement for each event. Also qualifying time, experience are must be well determined by event hosting organization.
Rules for open water swimming competition are significantly different than a pool swimming competition so please let we are be responsible for the all aspect of safety related to the conduct open water swimming competition.

By Palitha Ariyarathna
Deep sea diver & Rescuer

Safety tips for Dragon Boat Paddlers

Safety tips for Dragon Boat Paddlers




 
Safety tips for Dragon Boat PaddlersAs a rescuer I would like to share my knowledge with readers who like to endeavour to try drgaon boat as a favourites water sports .so as a paddler If you know basic tips of dragon boat safety those knowledge will lead aid you for having the real thrill and fun of paddling also you will know how to coat up with the emergency situation (with you buddy and team). Remember these tips are helping you to stay in safe and to have a fun ride. Safety tips for you to remember

· Dress appropriately, Apply proper sun protection, Take a bottle of water
· If in doubt don’t go out! If the situation gets worse stop the course.
· Always follow proper Loading and unloading  procedure drummer will be decide
· In rough conditions shift the weight in the boat (drummer) go back also in the beginning of the course take out for paddlers out. Most foul weather capsizes occur when water taken over the bow don’t give front of the boat go in to the water
· The boat is made by fibreglass so its wont sinks. Boat will be floated below the surface in some emergencies the boat can be used as a life preserve  to support injured or panicking paddler
· If boat going to be roll don’t panic who ever in a high side of boat try to throw out yourself by clear of your partner and let you paddle go don’t hold it tight you may hit another paddler. In additional try to let you go with boat roll.
· If you are trap under the boat may there is air pocket you to catch breath if possible catch a breath in the air pocket and feel your way to the side of the boat
· Always check your buddies for present if not informed to the crew if someone injured give him a assistance
· If boat is capsizes if any paddler is missing steersperson will ask any strong swimmer to check under the boat from one end to other end swimmer can looking for a missing paddler. Before roll the boat to its upright position should be all the crew member are present
· Always try to stay with boat until rescue crew arrives don’t swim to shore line unless otherwise instructed
· Always you must follow direction and  instruction of steersperson and rescue personnel
· Shouting making noise will be make all of paddlers confusion in the event of emergency paddlers have to ready to follow instruction
· If any paddler got heart stork, heart attack,distressed buddy can raising the hand and inform place the any distressed paddler in the middle of boat
· Try to contact land and water safety crew by marine radio or by signal or by distress signal like three long whistle blasts repeat if necessary
· When Rescue Crew arrive they will be ask some status report: number in the boat, any missing, distressed, injured paddler in your boat. Paddlers in distress and who need to taken out first
· If  Missing paddler – the Rescue Crew will take over the search and the second  rescue craft will start ferrying the rest of the Crew to shore
· If traps with extreme conditions  rescue Crews will be taken all the paddlers to the nearest sheltered land
· After the crew is on land the team of dragon boat responsible to bail out the water from their dragon boat

‘Ready ready….’ preparing for a race.

By Palitha Ariyarathna
Deep sea Diver and rescuer

Article is written by me @ 11-11-2008 and I am dedicating this  article for SLAD Dragoon boat team.

No one can train certified lifeguard

No one can train certified lifeguard

Posted on
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From the Lifeguard Diary….

There is lot of organization argued that no one can train certified lifeguard but expect by certified lifeguard instructor or organization. But in my point of view those arguments can bring down easily hence national and international level of lifeguard training, certification only provides a sound of foundation for lifeguards. It’s and just that beginning its up to the aquatic manager or lifeguard supervisor to take that newly certified lifeguards and help them to develop into highly skilled profession rescuer
by Palitha Ariyarathna

No qualified lifeguards at schools and hotels

No qualified lifeguards at schools and hotels

The lack of qualified lifeguards in many swimming pools at schools and hotels countrywide have posed a grave threat to untrained swimmers and this had been the chief reason for the increasing number of drowning accidents reported, experts said.
A spokesman for the Life Saving Association of Sri Lanka told the Sunday Observer that a recent study revealed that over 50 percent of the schools with swimming pools and over 75 percent of the tourist hotels had deployed lifeguards who were not suitably qualified.
It is alarming to note that most of the leading schools with swimming pools in Colombo had failed to employ a qualified lifeguard for students especially when training sessions are in progress.
Many five star hotels which boast of an excellent service had failed to adopt this vital safety measure for a long time, exposing guests to risks. In most cases, the pool attendants who were not qualified to rescue a drowning victim under international standards had been appointed as lifeguards.
About 10 students had drowned in school swimming pools during the past few years with the latest reported from a leading private school in Mount Lavinia, where a student from a Jaffna school drowned on the first day of the CHOGM Summit in Colombo.

Sri Lanka Coast Guards spearhead lifeguard services

Sri Lanka Coast Guards spearhead lifeguard services 

The World Health Organisation is keeping a tab on health hazards across the globe and has identified drowning as the third leading cause of 'unintentional injury deaths' worldwide, accounting for seven percent of all injury-related deaths as an estimated 388,000 annual drowning deaths reported according to the 2004 figures across the globe.
Taiwan's Army Chief seeks to quit after abuse scandal
According to Dr. Wijaya Godakumbura who made a presentation on drowning deaths in Sri Lanka has said that drowning has become a serious issue in Sri Lanka as around 1050 deaths are recorded annually, claiming mostly lives of children and young adults. In the context of a booming tourism industry, Sri Lanka attracts tourists towards the coastal belt and has become an issue that merits attention.
To address this issue, the Life Saving Association of Sri Lanka which is more than a 100 -years- old, acting as a national body for life saving and water safety in Sri Lanka deployed life savers in Sri Lankan beaches as volunteers. Apart from them Sri Lanka Police Lifesavings Unit which consists of trained life savers from the Police and ST, it has also done commendable lifesaving work in the Arugam Bay area.
Therefore, the requirement of a permanent body to look after life saving aspects was raised in the recent past. On identifying the importance of providing lifeguard services to the public, the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Department(SLCG) set up in 2009 to ensure the security, safety and serenity of the maritime environment while enforcing laws pertaining to the sea, took prompt action to expand its lifeguard services to many beach areas mainly in the Western and Southern regions.
Explaining the initial commitment by the Department in achieving this important milestone, the SLCG says that as its motto being "Saving Lives at sea", they started their own lifesaving unit in a humble way a few years back with the intention of providing a professional lifesaving service to Sri Lanka.
"We took the cue from the Australian Life Guard service, New South Wales, the largest lifeguard service in Australia", a spokesman for SLCG said.
With the setting up of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard lifesaving unit in 2009, emphasis was given to the expansion of activities along the coastal areas.
"The recent rapid development in the tourism industry has attracted a large number of local as well as foreign tourists to the beaches around the country. Statistics indicate that tourist arrivals in June have increased by 12.8 percent compared to the corresponding period last year and it is a total of 73,628 tourists who have arrived in the country in June. While most of the tourists are attracted to the beaches, ensuring safety in the beaches to engage in recreational activities remains an important aspect of our operations", he said.
The construction of the first lifesaving post took place at the Wellawatta beach along the Marine Drive in 2012. Construction of similar lifesaving posts South of the Wellawatta beach up to Mirissa took place in 2013.
"With these expansions completed, lifesaving posts have been set up in Mount Lavinia, Panadura, Balapitiya and Mirissa. Apart from these lifeguard posts, lifeguards are stationed in Galle Face, Polhena, Kirinda and Nilaweli", he said.
Schoolboys being shown the use of life jackets
"The lifeguard service initiated by the Sri Lankan Coast Guards have so far rescued 100 lives from the date of starting their operations after rescuing the lives of 79 Sri Lankans and 21 foreigners from France, China, Korea, Australia, Denmark, Thailand, UK, Nepal and Spain. The presence of lifeguards at a beach undoubtedly assures the safety of the tourists", the spokesman said.
The lifesaving unit of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard reached the important milestone of rescuing the 100th life with the rescue of Ms. GM Ronni Samanthi (37) on August 3 in the Mt. Lavinia seas. Phase two of the project will focus on constructing lifesaving posts in these locations and expand them into tourist attracted beach areas in the North-West, North and East coasts of the country.
"Once the duty of a lifeguard is over with dusk, they continue to remain and carryout surveillance duty. The future plan of setting up more lifesaving posts along the coast will add depth to maritime surveillance capabilities and will also serve as a deterrent to illegal activities taking place in the coastal areas and the observation of the change in sea conditions. We are aware that even with the latest equipment the prior warning of a tsunami situation may be delayed.
However, SLCG Life Savers at lifesaving posts will observe receding sea water levels, which is the best indication of an incoming tsunami wave and we will be able to warn the public even if the latest communication equipment fails", he said.
The success of the Coast Guard lifesaving unit is largely attributed to the dedication and professionalism of the 76 lifeguards as these lifeguards undergo special training at the Coast Guard's Life Saving Training School at Balapitiya and obtain professional qualifications from Coast Guard instructors in levels such as Basic, Resuscitation, Intermediate and the Bronze medal.
Apart from providing training to lifeguards, the Balapitiya training school also conducts lifesaving training for youth in the area.
"Over 30 youth have been so far trained and there is a demand from youth in area as this training has provided them with an added qualification to find jobs in the tourism field, especially in hotels as lifeguards, on the beach and near swimming pools", the spokesman said.
The SLCG lifesaving Training School is affiliated to the Sri Lanka lifesaving Association and Royal lifesaving Association, UK. The certificate issued by this training school has world-wide recognition.
"During a recent visit by the Director General of SLCG to Australia, he met officials of the Surf Lifesaving Association of Australia in Sydney and the Australian Surf Lifesaving Association and and they have agreed to provide an instructor to the SLCG lifesaving training school", the spokesman said.
Awareness programs and educating the community on lifeguard practices and sea safety is another aspect they promote. Over 650 fishermen and 1200 civilians educate the public on the importance of sea safety and related aspects.
"The importance of this training was seen during the recent bad weather conditions which resulted in the loss of lives of many fishermen. A youth who underwent training at the Balapitiya lifesaving school could organise others to help rescue fishermen. This is exactly what the Coast Guard expects by conducting such training, as natural disasters give no or minimum warning for us to prepare. As the first to find out, they have a great role to play during a time of a disaster," he said.
They have also taken the initiative to educate school children who live along the coastal areas of the importance of knowing the basics of lifesaving and first aid.
A life saver explains life-saving methods to a group of schoolchildren
"Well over 2500 students have been educated this year alone and their level of confidence is much higher and possesses a great deal of knowledge about drowning and related issues. In addition to above, tailor made lifesaving training for 90 cadets from the Sri Lanka Cadet Corps have been conducted in the recent past", he added.
The concept of 'educating the young to face the future with a better preparedness' is what the Coast Guard expects from all these attempts. On identifying the importance in training personnel involved in disaster management duties, Coast Guard recently completed the first ever specialised lifesaving training program conducted for the Sri Lanka Army, Air Force and Disaster Management Centre.
"The future lifesaving action plan of the Coast Guard mainly focus on three main pillars; Awareness, Training and Safety. The prime objective of these pillars is to ensure safety of lives and provide a safe and secure marine environment for the common public", he added.
Apart from that the Sri Lanka Coast Guard is also carrying out research work to produce a National Coastal Safety Report and SLCG is conducting research work to publish a National Coastal Safety Report end of this year which will give a national overview of coastal drowning details by time, month, activity and age group and gender .
"When you are on holiday at any popular beach in Sri Lanka, please watch for the 'Red' and 'Yellow' flags. Be safe and always swim between the 'Red' and 'Yellow' flags. You and your families will be safe with professional SLCG lifesavers observing you. Log on to the SLCG website and click "Sri Lanka Coast Guard Life Saving" for the complete list of 100 lives saved and the details.
This effort of the Coast Guards will undoubtedly contribute to the betterment of the country in the long run", giving emphasis on the safety aspect when they are in the sea the spokesman said.
"We should also be grateful to the guidance and assistance given by the Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, Basil Rajapaksa and the Commander of the Navy in our efforts", he said.

Lifeguard Who Drowned During Rescue Attempt in Newport Beach Remembered as ‘Hero’

Lifeguard Who Drowned During Rescue Attempt in Newport Beach Remembered as ‘Hero’

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Posted 10:30 AM, July 7, 2014, by , , and , Updated at 12:24am, July 8, 2014