PHUKET: Lifeguards from hotels across Phuket and Phang Nga are currently undertaking their annual training and re-certification at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort.
Fourteen properties have sent staff who are being trained in pool and ocean lifeguarding by Australian-certified trainers from Le Meridien.
For some of the lifeguards it is their second or third training at Le Meridien while for many it is their first opportunity to experience the demanding physical challenge of the training.
Director of Risk Management at Le Meridien, Jayne MacDougall, who has coordinated the program since 2004, said the training equipped specialist lifeguard staff and other assigned staff with the ability to manage water areas safely.
Lifeguards must be effective communicators and aquatic managers, as frontline staff they must ensure guests, who come from many cultures, are safe in the water Ms MacDougall said.
This year three senior staff from Le Meridien are qualified as Australian Life Saving trainers and for the first time in the 10 years of the program most instruction is presented in Thai. Australian trainer David Field who has been involved with Le Meridien and lifesaving on Phuket since 2001 said the delivery of the course in Thai has been a long-term goal.
The three Le Meridien trainers each hold the equivalent of the Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguard award and they have many years experience as lifeguards and trainers.
The trainees have learned how to rescue using a variety of techniques and provide world class CPR and first aid.
The importance of being rescue-ready has been stressed throughout the five day course.
''Recognition of hazards and prevention are the key strategies employed by lifeguards to prevent accidents,'' Ms MacDougall said.
Fourteen properties have sent staff who are being trained in pool and ocean lifeguarding by Australian-certified trainers from Le Meridien.
For some of the lifeguards it is their second or third training at Le Meridien while for many it is their first opportunity to experience the demanding physical challenge of the training.
Director of Risk Management at Le Meridien, Jayne MacDougall, who has coordinated the program since 2004, said the training equipped specialist lifeguard staff and other assigned staff with the ability to manage water areas safely.
Lifeguards must be effective communicators and aquatic managers, as frontline staff they must ensure guests, who come from many cultures, are safe in the water Ms MacDougall said.
This year three senior staff from Le Meridien are qualified as Australian Life Saving trainers and for the first time in the 10 years of the program most instruction is presented in Thai. Australian trainer David Field who has been involved with Le Meridien and lifesaving on Phuket since 2001 said the delivery of the course in Thai has been a long-term goal.
The three Le Meridien trainers each hold the equivalent of the Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguard award and they have many years experience as lifeguards and trainers.
The trainees have learned how to rescue using a variety of techniques and provide world class CPR and first aid.
The importance of being rescue-ready has been stressed throughout the five day course.
''Recognition of hazards and prevention are the key strategies employed by lifeguards to prevent accidents,'' Ms MacDougall said.
Hopefully the Australian training program included training on how it is not appropriate for lifeguards to sit in their towers smoking cigarettes all day while they play with their I-phones.
Posted by Richard Vickers on June 10, 2015 10:06