Citizen rescue to bolster safety at Phuket beaches

[webfact]

Citizen rescue to bolster safety at Phuket beaches
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Scores of everyday people are voluntarily undergoing lifeguard training in order to help Phuket’s strained contingent of lifeguards cope with the growing number of tourists, expats and local residents who need to be saved from dangerous surf.

There are currently 38 beach guard stations at 13 beaches in Phuket, staffed by a total of 108 lifeguards, explained Phuket Lifeguard Club President Prathaiyuth Chuayuan.

“From January through July this year, we saved 641 people, comprising 577 foreigners and 64 Thais,” Mr Prathaiyuth told the Phuket Gazette.

“This year is the fourth year we have held lifeguard training for the public. The 70 people being trained this year are ordinary people – beach hotel staffers, beach vendors and swimming club members – who might have the chance to rescue people at the beach,” he said.

The training, organized by the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization, began on Monday and will conclude tomorrow.

Among those conducting the training are personnel from the Third Naval Area Command and the Phuket Marine Police.

Joining them are members of the Surf Life Saving Australia Club led by David Field, who has been conducting surf life-saving training workshops in Phuket for more than a decade.

During the week-long workshop, participants will learn many basic skills in how to rescue drowning victims: emergency care, resuscitation and first-aid techniques. They will also learn a variety of surf rescue techniques: board rescue, tube rescue and rescue with no gear.

The sessions include practical exercises staged at Nai Yang Beach.

“Tomorrow, trainees will be divided into three teams for their final test, after which those who pass the course will be presented with a certificate confirming that they have successfully completed the lifeguard training course,” Mr Prathaiyuth said.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Citizen-rescue-to-bolster-safety-at-Phuket-beaches-21896.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2013-08-08

[bangarang]

Was this reported earlier that it would happen? It would be interesting to attend. It would be good to know these skills, I would have attended if I had known.

[tingtongteesood]

Frankly, even if I was paid to do it I would be reluctant to go into dangerous seas to try and rescue some idiot who ignores the red flags thinking he knows better. For free ? You got to be kidding me !!

[Carl64]

Frankly, even if I was paid to do it I would be reluctant to go into dangerous seas to try and rescue some idiot who ignores the red flags thinking he knows better. For free ? You got to be kidding me !!

That's just what the world needs! More caring people.

[Carl64]

I think it's a great idea that more people learn the basics of resuscitation. You never know when you need it to save someone or be saved!

[cornishcarlos]

Will they get realistic training if the course is just conducted at Nai Yang beach ?

I'm all for any extra training that can be provided to the local community, I just hope it doesn't result in these 'trained' people becoming casualties themselves. 1 week is not so much to be able to rescue someone, but definitely provides more people on the beach to assist.

Good on them for attending.

[tingtongteesood]

Frankly, even if I was paid to do it I would be reluctant to go into dangerous seas to try and rescue some idiot who ignores the red flags thinking he knows better. For free ? You got to be kidding me !!

That's just what the world needs! More caring people.

If people follow the rules and it is supposed to be safe and someone has trouble, that's one thing, but a number of people died this year because they ignored the red flags, that's their problem, one less idiot in the world sometimes when that happens and why should others risk their lives to save them ? I care about other people getting killed due to other's stupidity.

[cornishcarlos]

As was pointed out on another post, not all people are aware that the red flags mean no swimming. This is especially true of Russians and Chinese, they are not known as beach frequenters in their homelands.

This does not make them idiots, maybe ignorant but not idiots.

Should rescuers ask people in trouble if they know what the red flags mean, before deciding who to rescue ???

[Suradit69]

Citizen rescue to bolster safety at Phuket beaches

"Citizen" would suggest that those involved would be citizens, or does the Phuket Gazette have a casual approach to English vocabulary?

[IrishIvan]

People should read up on good samaritin laws in Thailand. As far as I know it is illegal to give someone CPR and you can be prosecuted if they die. Also I have heard that AEDs are illegal except when used by health care professionals.

Add to this that retards who cant swim continously enter the water I dont know why people bother trying to rescue them.

I certainly wont be risking my life for an idiot. If people were constantly driving motorbikes off cliffs because they cant ride would I try to stop them? I think you all know my answer. You cant help some people. Natural selection weeds out the stupid and weak.

[nakhonandy]

People should read up on good samaritin laws in Thailand. As far as I know it is illegal to give someone CPR and you can be prosecuted if they die. Also I have heard that AEDs are illegal except when used by health care professionals.

Add to this that retards who cant swim continously enter the water I dont know why people bother trying to rescue them.

I certainly wont be risking my life for an idiot. If people were constantly driving motorbikes off cliffs because they cant ride would I try to stop them? I think you all know my answer. You cant help some people. Natural selection weeds out the stupid and weak.

It is called being a caring human being.

Not all are idiots, some just don't know what the warnings mean, lack of english maybe. Plus they leave the flags out all the time leading to confusion.

If I could save someone I would do it, but not at risk to myself, that is the first rule of rescue training.

[Bkungbank]

People should read up on good samaritin laws in Thailand. As far as I know it is illegal to give someone CPR and you can be prosecuted if they die. Also I have heard that AEDs are illegal except when used by health care professionals.

Add to this that retards who cant swim continously enter the water I dont know why people bother trying to rescue them.

I certainly wont be risking my life for an idiot. If people were constantly driving motorbikes off cliffs because they cant ride would I try to stop them? I think you all know my answer. You cant help some people. Natural selection weeds out the stupid and weak.

I think hero should be protected by laws and not prosecuted as the intention is to save life that in danger when brain lack of oxygen he or she can brain damage even some CPR can crack some soft bone in the ribs.

Saviors are consider like god because calling the ambulance to come takes already 15-30 minutes by the time it might too late.

[jrtmedic]

As a much younger man I was a volunteer life guard but training extended over a much longer time.

Surf rescue techniques have improved over the years!

Does anyone here remember the "reel,line and belt" drill ?