The Negros Occidental Tourism Division (NOTD) and the Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Office (PRRMO), in partnership with the Philippine Life Saving (PLS), started the five-day Basic Water Safety Rescue and Lifeguarding training at the People’s Park, Brgy. 3 in San Carlos City on November 25.
The training aims to equip the tourism workers and frontliners with the necessary knowledge, skills, and vital techniques in saving lives in a water environment to reduce preventable deaths.
At least 40 individuals consisting of lifeguards, boatmen, rescuers, and tourism workers from the cities of San Carlos, Cadiz, Sagay, and Escalante; and municipalities of EB Magalona, Manapla, Toboso and Calatrava participated in the training.
The training includes water safety, non-contact and contact water rescue; performance of water-based skills in a pool environment; demonstration of four lifesaving strokes like back, side, breast and freestyle; inter-communication in lifeguarding; demonstration of the elements of swimming strokes in a pool environment; how to approach victim in defensive position; resuscitation and emergency care; beach safety sign and flags; aquatic spinal injury management, among others.
Ruby Yaung, NOTD operation assistant and focal person, said the main goals of the training were to prevent zero drowning incidents and provide safe and secure destinations for tourists in resorts with swimming pools and along the beaches.
She said she is hopeful that the training will help as the number of drowning incidents in resorts are increasing.*
