Lifeguard Weekly News – Rescue Stories

Lifeguard Weekly News – Rescue Stories

Would you feel better knowing that there is someone ready and willing to defy the waves and battle the sea without stopping to think about their own lives in a bid to save yours?

There are times when the importance of a lifeguard is undermined or even neglected – quite, unfortunately, simply neglecting the added safety and experience a lifeguard brings to any body of water often leads to drowning and in worst cases, deaths.

Here on Lifeguard Times™, we are dedicated to putting a spotlight on Lifeguards and their acts of heroism that happen each week. However, this week’s news features a little more than just heroics as we have news from Paphos where it may have taken a while too long to come to the realization that lifeguards are more than just the “fun” police. This week’s news also features rescue stories from Jacksonville and Mobor.

Here’s what’s making the news this week:

Lifeguards Rescue Two Fishermen Off Mobor, Goa, India

Thanks to vigilant Drishti lifeguards, two fishermen were rescued on Friday morning from drowning off Mobor beach in Goa, India. Both fishermen were said to be between the ages of 51 and 55 years and both from Quepem. Reports say they had gone into the sea at about 10:45 am when their boat caught a late wave, turned turtle, and threw both men into the choppy waters.

Thankfully, Lifeguard Bapu Tari was on duty at the time and rushed to rescue the men but not before alerting other lifeguards at the lifeguard tower. Following Tari’s information, lifeguard Sarvesh Goankar immediately took off on a Jet Ski and rode to the spot, securing both victims and safely bringing them back onshore. Another lifeguard Lavu Goankar helped to bring back the fishermen’s marooned boat to the shore.

Both fishermen were released after some routine health checks proved they were fine. This rescue was the third time a double rescue had been executed by Drishti lifeguards in the last four weeks.

Meanwhile, Jacksonville Beach lifeguards had to once again uphold their reputation on Memorial Day in our next story.

Jacksonville Beach Lifeguards Earn Their Reputation As Memorial Day Keeps Them Busy

If it gets too hot, the beach gets crowded and then lifeguards have to keep their eyes peeled while others have fun. For Jacksonville Beach lifeguards, this procedure might be “same old, same old”, but it still takes nothing away from their efforts this past Memorial Day.

Reports say at least 12 missing children had to be found and reunited with their parents over the holiday weekend. Not to mention first aid services and “minor” water emergencies. While there weren’t been any near drowning incidents, thanks to the lifeguards’ vigilance, there were at least 42 lifeguards and 7 officers on duty.

Jacksonville Lifeguards say it is very important that beachgoers understand that they could become victims in the water if they attempt to rescue another beachgoer. They advised beachgoers to always call 911, remain on shore and alert trained personnel.

Away from Jacksonville, our next story is one of “better late than never” and it happens in Cyprus.

Near Drowning In Paphos Prompts Recall Of Lifeguards

A lifeguard’s keen attention to detail should never be taken for granted – ask the 80-year-old British holidaymaker who narrowly escaped drowning in Paphos on Sunday morning at about 11 am and he would have tales of the vigilant lifeguard who was quick to spot his distress and spring into action.

Paphos had had a shortage of lifeguards for a while and even cut back on lifeguarding hours. However, this incident has served as a wake-up call for the municipality.
Reports say a panic attack followed after the man spotted the size of the waves. The lifeguard was quick to notice his struggling and quickly dove into the sea to rescue the victim.

Paphos municipality authorities now say they would rather pay extra lifeguard wages from their own coffers now, instead of waiting on the Cyprus government to pay for 50% of the lifeguard’s salary while recording beach casualties.

The municipality is now willing to add an extra 4 to 5 lifeguards in Paphos even though this means they have to raise an additional 6,000 Euros monthly.

They’re also looking to have lifeguards covering the beaches for almost 24hrs daily.

Perhaps, it is better late than never.

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