THIS WEEK IN LIFEGUARD NEWS – ROBOT LIFEGUARD

Here at Lifeguard Times™ we are dedicated to putting a spotlight on lifeguards and their selfless acts of heroism. This week’s lifeguard news features rescues from Long Beach Island, Sunshine Coast and Ypao Beach and also an innovative new technology in Dubai that is creating buzz, a robot lifeguard. We should probably talk about that first…

DUBAI BEACH GOERS GET ROBOT LIFEGUARD

In a bid to help human lifeguards with their rescues, the Dubai Municipality recently introduced a robot lifeguard. This innovative technology is said to be able to not only reach speeds of 35kph which is approximately 12 times the speed of a human lifeguard but also pull about four to five swimmers simultaneously across a distance of over 130km

When reaching out to a distressed swimmer, the 125cm-tall boat-shaped craft which is operated by remote control has handles on its side with which victims can be dragged back to shore.

The robots float freely due to their lightweight (about 11kg in weight) and are presumably able to execute up to 30 rescue operations without needing a recharge.

Authorities of the Dubai Environment Department said the move was in response to the Dubai government’s’ directives to implement their latest technological innovations in this area and also to ensure that all necessary precautions are in place to enhance the rescue operations on the public beaches of Dubai.

THREE SWIMMERS RESCUED FROM RIP CURRENT OFF LONG BEACH ISLAND

One of the three swimmers rescued from a rip current by authorities on the afternoon of Sunday, September 25, 2016, at Long Beach Island was hospitalized. Reports say the rescue took place shortly after 2 p.m. in the ocean off 77th Street in Harvey Cedars on Long Beach Island.

While that specific portion of the beach was said to be unguarded at the time of the incident, Harvey Cedars police Chief Robert Burnaford said lifeguards do patrol rounds on quads in the off-season.

Speaking on the incident, Burnaford said “We always urge people to swim near a lifeguard. After Labor Day … the weather is beautiful and the water is 70 to 71 degrees, it’s very inviting. People go in thinking the ocean will be calm but there’s always a good chance of rip currents.”

He further commended the efforts of the lifeguards, calling it a “great team effort.

“We work so well together,” Burnaford said. “Thankfully everyone was pulled from the water successfully.”

Lifeguards were reported to have reached the scene in a matter of minutes and as a result, they were able to rescue the distressed swimmers. Also on the scene to help out in the rescue were members of the High Point Volunteer Fire Company, Harvey Cedars Police Department, the Barnegat Light First Aid Squad and the Barnegat Light Volunteer Fire Company.

Following the incident, Lifeguards will return to the Middlesex Avenue beach this week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to the beach patrol.

SIX-YEAR-OLD HOSPITALIZED AFTER ALMOST  DROWNING ON COAST BEACH

A six-year-old boy has been hospitalized after surviving a near-drowning incident on the Sunshine Coast. He was reportedly underwater for at least 30 seconds before being rescued. Before the incident with occurred at about 1:15 p.m. 26th Sep 2016 the boy was said to be with his father at Kings Beach Pool, Caloundra. It is believed they were visiting the Sunshine Coast

Speaking on the incident, Sunshine Coast lifeguard supervisor Rhys Drury said the boy’s father pulled him from the water, “He was conscious, breathing and regurgitating water,” he said.

Lifeguards helped with the rescue and paramedics transported the child to the Nambour General Hospital for further assessment.

The school holiday period and great weather had attracted crowds to beaches all around the Coast but due to gentle surf conditions, lifeguards are at the moment having a pretty “quiet” time.

“Visitation is up on this time last year, but the number of incidents and rescues is down,” Mr. Drury said.

58-YEAR-OLD MAN IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER BEING RESCUED AT YPAO BEACH

A 58-year-old distressed swimmer brought to the Guam Memorial Hospital on Sunday, September 25, 2016, by the Guam Fire Department units is said to still be in critical condition as of Monday.

GFD units responded to reports of drowning at Ypao Beach just before 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 25.

CPR was being conducted on the victim at the scene and while he was transported to the GMH.

Reports by witnesses and the Guam Fire Department say a group of divers returning to the shore had spotted the man lying face down in the water and brought him to shore where a lifeguard conducted CPR before the arrival of emergency responders.╚

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