The Department of Health – MIMAROPA (Oriental/Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque Romblon, Palawan) together with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) – Palawan District today awarded 28 lifeguard license out of thirty selected beach and swimming pool attendants in Palawan in a graduation ceremony held at the A&A Plaza Hotel, Wescom Road, Puerto Princesa City.
The 28 lifeguards were among the first batch of Water Search and Rescue trainees in Puerto Princesa City selected by the PCG to undergo the 12 days Lifeguard Licensure Training.
A lifeguard duty is to enforce rules in order to anticipate problems/injuries, supervise the use of other equipment when allocated to that duty (such as water slides or any other activities taking place), carry out rescues and initiate other emergency action as necessary, provide immediate first aid in the event of injury, check a swimming pool's chlorine and pH levels, act as a general information point.
“We will continue to increase the number of licensed lifeguards in the region, especially in areas where swimmers and divers frequent such as pools, beaches and open seas to ensure a safe water environment for the public and also to prevent injuries and water incidents,” Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo stated during the graduation program.
“We are expecting these new lifeguards to perform and provide rescues, provide immediate first aid and CPR and prevent and reduce the risk of drowning and near-drowning among high risk groups, more particularly children, as a result of aquatic activities such as fishing, recreational swimming, boating, kayaking – and even natural calamities like floods, tsunami and flashfloods,” he added.
According to a 2012 study conducted by DOH-UPCPH, drowning is the leading cause of death among children under 18 in the Philippines and fourth leading cause of death from injury in the Philippines stated in a recent United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) survey. The top five causes were road traffic accidents (20%), gun shots (17%), stabbings (14%), drowning (12%), and electrocution and falls (4% each).
It is estimated that eight Filipinos die from drowning everyday and there are ten victims of near drowning as reported by the Philippines during the World Conference on Drowning Prevention (WCDP) in 2011.
Before acquiring a license, a beach or pool attendant including divers must first undergo a 5 day WASAR Training conducted by PCG before being selected to the 12-day lifeguard licensure program. The PCG is the only agency that is authorized by law to provide license to lifeguards.
Lifeguards are required to attend occasional in-service trainings and workshops conducted by the PCG to update and further strengthen their lifeguarding skills.
The Lifeguard Licensure Training is an initiative of DOH-MIMAROPA under its Health in Tourism Program to provide health and safety for tourists and to the community as well in cooperation with the PCG-Palawan District and the local tourism office.
There are currently 354 WASAR Trained personnel in Palawan. DOH-MIMAROPA aims to train at least 500 aquatic personnel in the whole region and provide them the necessary license to become effective water rescuers.
“Once we have completed a pool of licensed lifeguard in the region, we will organize a water rescue operation center where they will be the frontline rescuers who will lead in water rescue operations together with other government agencies who provides emergency treatment and care. Also, they can provide immediate rescue assistance in case of conflict in open seas,” Janairo concluded.
