| Trained
lifeguards from GTDC
Under its beach safety management programme GTDC
has posted 52 trained lifeguards at various locations
along the 105 km state coastline. This is in our
continuing efforts to prevent incidents of drowning
at sea.
These 52 lifeguards will carry out emergency,
rescue as well as support functions.
Sanjeet Rodrigues, Managing Director GTDC, says
that Rs 5 to 6 lakh have been spent on the training
of the lifeguards, while an amount of around Rs
10 to 12 lakh has been utilised for purchasing
modern equipment like high visibility binoculars,
pocket masks, oxygen resuscitators, portable oxygen
cylinders, fluorescent jackets, hand microphones,
water goggles and first aid kit boxes among other
things.
Mobile lifeguard observation chairs have been
provided, while beach observation posts are being
designed. A consultancy agency will be appointed
soon to monitor the functioning of the lifequards.
The 52 lifeguards were selected from 129 applicants,
and have been trained by personel from the National
Institute of Water Sports (NIWS) and other agencies.
All the lifeguards have successfully completed
Surf Life Saving Techniques (SLST) course through
the NIWS and First Aid and CPR course through
the Goa branch of the Red Cross Society.
GTDC has done proper analysis of beach stretches
which are frequented by tourists as well as locals,
and proper emphasis has been laid on areas where
drowning deaths have occurred.
The 52 lifeguards have been spread on beaches
at Keri, Arambol, Mandrem (Ashvem), Mandrem (Junes),
Morjim, Vagator, Anjuna, Baga, Calangute (North
and entrance), Candolim, Sinquerim, Miramar, Baina,
Bogmalo, Velsao, Arossim, Majorda, Betalbatim,
Colva, Sernabatim and Benaulim.
Proper demarcation of beaches into ‘Safe
Swimming Zones’ has been done by marking
such zones with two yellow flags, while non-swimming
areas are marked with red flags. All demarcated
swimming zones are manned by lifeguards with full
equipment.
Mr Rodrigues said that the lifeguards have been
instructed to display tide timings on day-to-day
basis and various pamphlets giving information
to tourists on safe swimming would be distributed
to all the stakeholders, including tourists.
Apart from this facility, the GTDC has sought
help from the locals, respective village panchayats
and staff of the forest department at various
check posts, especially in certain isolated stretches
of beaches which have neither hotels nor shacks.
The major problem faced by the lifeguards is
assaults from tourists, who get aggressive when
requested not to enter rough waters or accident
prone zones in the sea. "We would like the
tourists to respect the sea rather than confront
it, especially under the influence of the alcohol,”
said Rodrigues.
2.5 million tourists are expected to arrive in
Goa, this tourist season, most of whom will be
visiting different beaches around the state. Without
cooperation from the tourists, 52 lifeguards will
be hard put to protect swimmers along the 105
km coastline of Goa. “However, the Corporation
will try to prevent any untoward incident in the
beach waters, to the best of its ability.”
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