Panambur Beach Tourism to provide Lifesavers Training

Panambur Beach Tourism to provide Lifesavers Training

Mangalore Today News Network

Report by Mahesh Nayak

Mangalore, Aug. 5, 2010: Panambur Beach Tourism Development Project (PBTDP) has announced that it will be offering Lifesavers Training Academy under the slogan ‘Together we save lives’, in order to train people in lifesaving skills and techniques. Announcing this at a press conference in the city, Yatish Baikampady, the CEO of the PBTDP said that his organization had reached an agreement with Rashtriya Life Saving Society (India) (RLSS (I)), to provide the required equipment, expertise and certification.

 

 

 

 

RLSS (I) is a pan Indian organization that has been proactively involved in lifesaving operations in the country for over 12 years. RLSS (I) is affiliated to International Life Saving Federation (ILSF), the chief global body in the field of life saving. It also has a tie-up with Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA), which is the world leader in Beach Safety with 103 years of experience.

Addressing the media, Rear Admiral Purushottam Dutt Sharma (Retd.), the Founder President of RLSS (I) said every year more than 3.5 lakh lives are lost in the country due to accidents. Nearly one third of these deaths occur due to drowning. “Every drowning is preventable. Going to the beaches is fun only when the beaches are made safe for the people who go there. I congratulate PBTDP on their successful efforts in making Panambur Beach safe,” he said.

Issac Vas, the chief promoter of PBTDP reported that between 1995 and 2008, Panambur beach had recorded a total of 115 deaths due to drowning. After commencement of its operations in July 2007, PBTDP introduced full time Life Guards along Panambur beach and the death toll immediately reduced to 4 casualties upto 2008 and since 2009, the project has achieved zero deaths due to drowning.

Later the two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining their terms of co-operation. The documents were signed by Yatish Baikampady and Rear Admiral Purushottam Dutt Sharma on behalf of their respective organizations. The objectives of the association are:
  •    To advance the beach lifesaving operations in existence at Panambur
  •    To create opportunities for local employment
  •    To ensure safety of swimmers and tourists on the beaches of Mangalore
  •    To promote tourism
  •    To promote the beach as a destination for a broad range of activities
  •    To promote healthy lifestyle through the medium of lifesaving and sports

Giving details of the Lifesavers Training course, Ankit Wagh, Manager Operations & Training of RLSS (I) said the duration of the training could stretch anywhere between 6 and 60 hours depending on the modules selected. The training would cover aspects like Basic Swimming and Rescue, Usage of Watercraft, Administering First Aid and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and shifting the victim to the nearest professional healthcare facility. 

The hands-on training, which is designed to make even a layman into a qualified Life Saver, will be provided on the beach itself, he added. After successful completion of the course, the trainees will be awarded an internationally recognized certification as a Life Saver, which will have to be renewed from time to time. Moreover the certified candidates can find employment as Life Guards in public Swimming Pools, Hotels and Beach Resorts, Water Sports Centres and Amusement Parks, Boat Clubs etc.

In his presentation Norm Farmer, General Manager – Strategic Development of SLSA said his organization rescues over 12,000 people every year through its large network of Life Savers Clubs operating in Australia’s beaches. SLSA will provide expertise and equipment to RLSS (I) and PBTDP, he assured.

For further details contact Yatish Baikampady, CEO, PBTDP Phone: 0824-2427391 Mobile: 94490 35570