By Mike U. Crismundo
Butuan City – The regional office of the Department of Tourism (DOT) here is initiating a lifeguard training on April 17-23 to ensure the safety of tourists in all the resorts in the acknowledged Paradise Island of Siargao.
DOT will also give accreditation to lifeguards and surfing instructors.
Aside from the provincial government and local government units (LGUs), the DOT will also tap the Philippine Red Cross in the lifeguard training.
The weeklong lifeguard training aims to teach and develop beach attendants from the resorts to be ready and vigilant in rescuing distressed swimmers.
It incorporates the concept of lifeguarding, basic swimming strokes, breathes holding, types of water entries, rescue principles in lifesaving techniques, escapes and releases, proper handling of victims and basic life support (CPR).
The Philippine Red Cross, fully supported by the Philippine Coast Guard, together with personnel from Coastguard Special Operation Group, will handle the skills training.
The rescue teams of the local disaster risk reduction and management councils (DRRMCs) and Philippine National Police (PNP) rescue teams will also be tapped as instructors in the lifeguard training.
“This leadership training entails discipline and proactive attitude to anticipate potential dangers of the beach goers and prompt response in case of emergency,” DOT 13 officials here said.
It is a familiarization with some water techniques and camaraderie among the lifeguards and the public with professionalism as one of the objectives of this course, it said.