By Bejay Browne.
Lifeguards at Coral Bay are grateful that the mayor and local authorities in Peyia responded quickly to requests for a jet ski, rescue boat, spinal board and other medical equipment.
The jet ski used at Coral Bay broke down last year and was sent away to be fixed, but the same problem occurred, and it again undergoing repairs. Last year lifeguards didn’t have a jet ski for two months and the same problem occurred this year, a local lifeguard said.
They are also hoping that a new jet ski can be purchased as these are imperative when carrying out many of the rescue operations at the districts’ busiest of beaches, Coral Bay.
A local councillor said that any requests made by the lifeguards to the local authority in Peyia last year have been met.
“They came to us and everything they requested for the neck or medical items, we bought. We have spent around €300 to €400.”
Lifeguards in Paphos are also requesting that towers are upgraded, as most are 20 or 30 years old and in desperate need of modernisation, including the introduction of electricity supply. This would enable the use of fans, as it is often unbearable to work in the searing heat and certain rules are in place by the labour office for those working outdoors, they said.
Electricity supply would also enable them to store ice packs, medical supplies, and water to help injured people.
They noted that one of the lifeguard towers at Polis Chrysochous and another at Atlantida beach in Geroskipou are good examples of how all of the towers should be.
So far this year, Paphos lifeguards have performed more than 20 life-saving rescues, they noted, which could have ended in a person drowning. They also dealt with more than 500 other incidents such as jellyfish stings, cuts and abrasions, water sports accidents and instances of swimmers getting a cramp.
Lifeguards welcomed the addition of more staff this year, with around 95 lifeguards employed in the Paphos district alone for the summer season. “We are able to cope this year as we have more staff and are better able to look after the public and protect them, we are glad about that.”
The councillor also noted that a number of recent upgrades at Coral Bay have resulted in better access to the beach, new buoys in the sea and new markings for the water sports corridor.
“Whatever the lifeguards have asked we have carried out and we have spent a considerable amount,” he said.
