The key to preventing drowning and other aquatic injuries is to have properly prepared lifeguards!
This assertion has come from Special Projects Officer with the National Conservation Commission, Ricardo Marshall, who has also underscored the need for repetition and reinforcement in order to better hone these skills.
The NCC official was speaking on the eve of?? World Ocean’s Day, which is?? being observed internationally tomorrow, Tuesday, June 8, and will feature a lifeguard demonstration in the form of Lifesaving Sport, an international competition which features races and events that incorporate lifesaving skills. ????Minister of the Environment, Dr. Denis Lowe, will participate in the demonstration, which will take place at 10:00 a.m. at Rockley beach in Christ Church.
"The reality is that lifeguarding, first aid and CPR skills like any other skill, require repetition and reinforcement.?? By conducting in-service training in the form of simulations, the service can improve the skills and abilities of ??lifeguards through critical evaluations thereafter. The simulations are also important to maintain public confidence in the service," Mr. Marshall explained.
In addition to the exercise, Mr. Marshall said members of the service would also be on hand to demonstrate new equipment installed at this location and highlight its overall benefit to beach users.
According to Lifeguard Instructor, Dave Bascombe lifeguards will be divided into two three-member teams – Team Alpha and Team Bravo – for the two-tiered competition, which will focus on participants’ fitness and technical skills.
They will compete in a number of areas including team relays, swim-run-swim events, a Beach Rescue drill and a Simulated Emergency Response Situation (SERS), which will highlight participants’ Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and First- Aid skills.
Mr. Bascombe, who said?? this would be the first year this?? type of demonstration would be undertaken,?? explained that?? having done?? traditional rescue simulations over the years, they wanted?? an event which offered a bit more variety and excitement.
With the oceans being essential for food security and the health and survival of all life, World Oceans Day is seen as an opportunity to raise global awareness about the current challenges faced by the international community in connection with the oceans.??cgaskin@barbados.gov.bb