Lifeguarding: no minimum standards

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The ultimate vision is to form a national lifeguard team from the UAE and a national lifesaving association

The alarming statistic that drowning is the second cause of death in the UAE behind road accidents is a major impetus behind the launch of this month's third UAE National Lifeguard Championships in Al Aqah.

According to the host of the Championships, Patrick Antaki, general manager of Le Méridien Al Aqah, it is the social responsibility of pool and beach operators to reverse this trend.

"One of the reasons we have chosen to hold this championship is to increase the awareness of water safety which remains a major topic of interest unfortunately. Last month alone there were several incidents on some beaches in the UAE," said Antaki.

It is time to educate people as to the importance of lifeguarding and water safety, he said.

Antaki added that there is still work to be done on changing the public perception of lifeguards. They are not there to be pool attendants, but they do have an environmental responsibility to report or repair any damages in the area around them, he added.

The Championships is open to all qualified lifeguards employed at hotels, resorts, swimming pools and beaches across the UAE, with teams consisting of four lifeguards.

Chief organiser Stewart Hodsoll said the next step is to increase the Championships beyond the UAE to the entire GCC market.

Hodsoll said he had already received interest from an operator in Qatar who wanted to take part.

"The aim eventually is to form a national lifeguard team from the UAE as well as hopefully bringing together a UAE national lifesaving association," added Hodsoll.

At present, there are no minimum training requirements for lifeguards across the UAE, though the municipality does stipulate that facilities must have lifeguards, he added.

"Ideally, what we would like to have in the future is a standard for lifeguards to be trained in specific first aid and CPR techniques and to have a certain level of health and fitness," he said.

Royal Lifesaving Society UK (RLSS) representative Peter Whittal, who will come from the UK to be one of the judges for the event along with representatives from Ellis and Associates and the American Red Cross, said that the lack of a minimum training requirement for lifeguards is not unique to the UAE.

"I don't know of a statute that requires a certain standard in any country. However, it's very much about a worldwide approach to risk assessment. This will determine the level of capability, the number of lifeguards and the service requirements that need to be met," said Whittal.

The competition will be held on May 25. Hodsoll said it would feature four different beach events including a 400-metre surf swim, then pool events including a mannequin relay.

Hodsoll added three of the seven events in the Championship conform to the standards of the International Lifesaving Federation.

This is the last time the event will be held at Le Meridien Al Aqah.

"It needs to move on to other venues to stop it being perceived as belonging to Le Méridien Al Aqah," said Antaki. "Hopefully we will be announcing the next venue at the event itself."

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