CREATING a centralised lifeguard service would be the first step in remedying the island’s haphazard attitude toward beach safety, but so far the government has stonewalled all attempts.
Now, the efforts of DIKO deputy Marios Matsakis could stir up enough waves to set things in motion. In a move typical of Matsakis’ hands-on approach, the outspoken deputy has been visiting several lifeguard posts across the island, noting the deficiencies and shortcomings when it comes to safety for beach-goers.
Matsakis and other public figures began highlighting the issue after an incident in Paphos last week, when two middle-aged foreigners drowned. The tragic event sparked controversy when it emerged that the only lifeguard on duty at the beach had finished his shift half an hour earlier.
Lack of personnel, continuous training, equipment and funding have always hampered the lifeguards in Cyprus, who have to deal with a bewildering number of beaches and bathing spots during the summer months.
“But our greatest problem is that we lack organisation and authority,” Lifeguards’ Association head Polis Pallikaros told the Cyprus Mail. “If lifeguards are not given the material means and the power to regulate security at the beaches, we will never be able to do our work properly.”
Pallikaros cited one example to illustrate this: lifeguards do not have the authority to ban jetskis from shallow waters, meaning an accident is just waiting to happen. “Sure, we can admonish, advise, etc, but at the end of the day we are not the coast guard or the police, so nobody has to listen to us.”
And that is exactly what Pallikaros and others in his profession would like the local lifeguard association to develop into: a fully-fledged government service, with its own administration and regulations, modelled on the fire department or the ambulance service. “Constant training and upgrading, providing permanent full-time jobs to professional lifeguards — all this is key to setting things on the right track,” insists Pallikaros.
Matsakis agrees: “Right now, we have training regimes that differ from district to district — sometimes from beach to beach –watch towers are not built to specification, some beaches have enough lifeguards and equipment while others do not… so you get the idea.”
While conditions in Paralimni and Limassol were highly satisfactory, the same could not be said of Paphos. Lifeguards in Ayia Napa and the Paralimni area are strong in numbers and avail of jetskis and the necessary gear. To illustrate the disparity, Nissi Beach in Ayia Napa alone had seven lifeguards, while just 27 lifeguards worked the all the popular Paphos beaches, where the waters are considered the most treacherous.
According to Pallikaros, the shortage of qualified lifeguards often means municipalities hire people who have gone through a “crash course” but clearly lack the skills and experience for such a demanding job.
And in Pallikaros’ view, only about 30 of the 130 beaches classified as protected are actually acceptably safe. So far seven people have drowned this year, and although this figure is not exceedingly high, Pallikaros would prefer it if no accidents at all occurred.
“Our professional lifeguards have excellent know-how, and our association is a full member of the ILS (International Life Saving Federation). So all we need is a little help from the government or parliament.”
Also stacked against the lifeguards is the government red tape; three ministries — of Communications, Tourism and the Interior –have jurisdiction over different aspects of the issue.
Asked whether a House committee would convene to discuss the issue of beach safety and to draft legislation, Matsakis said, “I hope that happens sometime soon, while the issue is still hot.”
