Pupils to help beaches be safer for summer

SCHOOL children are being targeted as part of a campaign to plug a regional lifeguard shortage.

Intensive beach lifeguard courses are being held in Teignmouth this October half-term after the town's beaches were left short-staffed during the summer.

Teignbridge Council, which received fewer applications this year, hopes the RNLI will take over the running of the lifeguard service from them.

The courses will be run by the RNLI in partnership with Surf Life Saving GB who will teach prospective lifeguards from their local clubs across the south west.

Iain Palmer, president of Teignmouth Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, said the shortage was 'an on-going problem' but he hoped the latest drive to train lifeguards would ease it.

"We have not had a very good season weather-wise, but we have struggled to man beaches because of the shortage. It has been an on-going problem for the last two or three years," he explained.

He said there was a shortage of at least 300 lifeguards across the region in the summer months.

At the moment council lifeguards keep watch on Teignmouth and Dawlish Warren beaches.

Sparse numbers meant some beaches were only manned on weekends during the summer with swimmers relying on coloured flags to guide them.

The shortage meant there was no lifeguard on duty when 42-year-old holidaymaker Nigel Hunt, of Newport, Wales, died after getting into difficulties off waters at Teignmouth on July 24.

The 'no swimming' red flags had been flying because of choppy sea conditions and high winds earlier that day.

But Mr Palmer said he hoped the latest recruitment drive would boost numbers.

"It's a great chance for people to get their qualifications. We hope there are going to be 16 more qualified lifeguards by next summer," he said.

At the moment council lifeguards patrol Teignmouth and Dawlish Warren and the clubs assist on a voluntary basis.

Mr Palmer said he understood the council has been in talks with the RNLI who are going to patrol the beaches from next season.

A Teignbridge Council spokesman confirmed: "There has been a regional shortage of qualified lifeguards, and in Teignbridge we received fewer applications than usual for the posts this year.

"We welcome any initiatives which help train new lifeguards, and hope there are more qualified lifeguards available next year.

"We have been working closely with the RNLI since last year to arrange for them to run Teignbridge's lifeguard service from next season, a move which will also help bring more lifeguards to Teignbridge's beaches and resorts."

The week-long Beach Lifeguard Qualification is an essential requirement for anyone applying for a position as an RNLI lifeguard. Courses will run from Monday, October 27 to Sunday, November 2 and combine practical and theory sessions.

Skills taught will include beach safety operating procedures, hazard awareness, accident prevention, first aid including CPR, and pool and open water rescue skills including sea rescues using equipment such as rescue tubes and rescue boards.

Places on the courses will be allocated on a first come, first served, basis.

Potential applicants must demonstrate a high level of fitness, own their own wetsuit and be able to swim 400m in under seven and half minutes.

Those applicants who gain the Beach Lifeguard Qualification will be able to apply to become a RNLI lifeguard in December in time for the 2009 season.

The course will cost £50. This covers membership of the SLSGB along with the cost of the training manual and examination fees.

For more information and to apply for a place on a course call Jael Valerio, the RNLI training administrator on 01752 854 463 or email Jvalerio@rnli.org.uk