LIFEGUARDS are back on Phuket's beaches in force in time for the added dangers of the Phuket monsoon season. With more patrols and better equipment, the lifeguards will be hoping to prevent drownings on Phuket's popular west coast beaches.
Karon beach - considered the most dangerous Phuket beach and the one with the worst recent record - will double lifeguard stations to six, manned by 16 lifeguards, overseen by a supervisor and a captain. Patong, another long beach, gains five stations, 14 lifeguards and one supervisor.
Provision of eight rented jet-skis - twice the number of previous contracts - should enable rescues to be carried out faster. Speeding rescued swimmers to the beach where recovery techniques can be performed remains the most vital factor in saving lives.
The new structure and continued training is expected to provide Phuket Lifeguard Service Co Ltd with greater flexibility and the ability to react faster to problems in the water between 9am and sundown every day.
Total Phuket lifeguards have been boosted to 106 men who will be posted at 33 stations on 13 Phuket beaches - compared to the previous 83 lifeguards at 28 stations - as follows:
Phuket Zone One
Ya Nui Beach (one station, two lifeguards); Nai Harn Beach (two stations, six lifeguards, one supervisor, one captain); Kata Noi Beach (one station, three lifeguards); Kata Beach (two stations, six lifeguards, one supervisor, one captain) Karon Beach (six stations, 16 lifeguards, one supervisor, one captain).
Phuket Zone Two
Patong Beach (five stations, 14 lifeguards, one supervisor); Kamala Beach (two station seven lifeguards, one captain); Laem Sing Beach (one station, three lifeguards).
Phuket Zone Three
Surin Beach (two stations, six lifeguards, one supervisor); Bang Tao Beach (four stations, 14 lifeguards, one supervisor, one captain); Nai Thon Beach (two stations, six lifeguards, one supervisor); Nai Yang Beach (two stations, four lifeguards, one captain); Mai Khao Beach (two stations, five lifeguards, one supervisor).
Swimmers are advised to enter the water between the red and yellow flags that denote the patrolled swimming zones.
Red flags mean it's not safe to swim and holidaymakers enter the water at their peril.
Resort managements are advised to warn guests on arrival to show caution on Phuket's beaches between May and December. When red flags are flying, it's safest to stick with resort swimming pools.
Lifeguards also deal with cut feet and other occasional problems at Phuket's beaches.
The contract with the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation expires on April 1, 2012.
Three people drowned in waters on or around Phuket in March, taking the tally for the year so far to 10. This is up on the figure of seven drownings in the first quarter of 2010, although well down on the total of 17 for the same period of 2009.
Phuket Drowning, Rescues as Monsoon Dangers LoomKaron beach - considered the most dangerous Phuket beach and the one with the worst recent record - will double lifeguard stations to six, manned by 16 lifeguards, overseen by a supervisor and a captain. Patong, another long beach, gains five stations, 14 lifeguards and one supervisor.
Provision of eight rented jet-skis - twice the number of previous contracts - should enable rescues to be carried out faster. Speeding rescued swimmers to the beach where recovery techniques can be performed remains the most vital factor in saving lives.
The new structure and continued training is expected to provide Phuket Lifeguard Service Co Ltd with greater flexibility and the ability to react faster to problems in the water between 9am and sundown every day.
Total Phuket lifeguards have been boosted to 106 men who will be posted at 33 stations on 13 Phuket beaches - compared to the previous 83 lifeguards at 28 stations - as follows:
Phuket Zone One
Ya Nui Beach (one station, two lifeguards); Nai Harn Beach (two stations, six lifeguards, one supervisor, one captain); Kata Noi Beach (one station, three lifeguards); Kata Beach (two stations, six lifeguards, one supervisor, one captain) Karon Beach (six stations, 16 lifeguards, one supervisor, one captain).
Phuket Zone Two
Patong Beach (five stations, 14 lifeguards, one supervisor); Kamala Beach (two station seven lifeguards, one captain); Laem Sing Beach (one station, three lifeguards).
Phuket Zone Three
Surin Beach (two stations, six lifeguards, one supervisor); Bang Tao Beach (four stations, 14 lifeguards, one supervisor, one captain); Nai Thon Beach (two stations, six lifeguards, one supervisor); Nai Yang Beach (two stations, four lifeguards, one captain); Mai Khao Beach (two stations, five lifeguards, one supervisor).
Swimmers are advised to enter the water between the red and yellow flags that denote the patrolled swimming zones.
Red flags mean it's not safe to swim and holidaymakers enter the water at their peril.
Resort managements are advised to warn guests on arrival to show caution on Phuket's beaches between May and December. When red flags are flying, it's safest to stick with resort swimming pools.
Lifeguards also deal with cut feet and other occasional problems at Phuket's beaches.
The contract with the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation expires on April 1, 2012.
Three people drowned in waters on or around Phuket in March, taking the tally for the year so far to 10. This is up on the figure of seven drownings in the first quarter of 2010, although well down on the total of 17 for the same period of 2009.
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This is the only time Jet ski's should be used on the beaches in Phuket and other beach areas.
The best way to reach someone who needs help, is to jump on a jet ski if they are quite far out.
Posted by Tbs on April 28, 2011 09:51