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More than 250 lifeguard recruits of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) have completed different phases of their induction course this year. The graduates pledged to serve the community with their professional knowledge and skills at a passing out parade at the Ma On Shan Swimming Pool today (March 25).
The Lifeguard Lifesaving Passing Out Parade and Major Drill cum Water Safety Award Presentation Ceremony was officiated by the Assistant Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Paul Cheung.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Cheung said LCSD attached great importance to internal training of its staff, adding that the department had always provided new recruits with various forms of training at different stages to cater for their operational needs and to enhance their lifesaving services.
The graduates of the induction course received their graduation certificates at today's ceremony. The course covered various aspects of training ranging from skin-diving rescue and canoe rescue to practical skills in the operation of swimming pools and beaches.
Today's ceremony included demonstrations of lifesaving and first aid skills, such as skin-diving, rescuing with the use of spinal boards, safe and swift transportation of the injured back to shore, as well as first aid with the application of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
In order to strengthen the provision of first aid and resuscitation equipment at its swimming pools, water sport centres and bathing beaches, LCSD will introduce AEDs to all 38 public swimming pools across the territory starting from April this year. The device will be operated by lifeguards trained in first aid and AEDs.
LCSD will continue to arrange training for more lifeguards in the operation of AEDs with a view to extending the provision of AEDs at water sports centres and bathing beaches in phases. The Department will review their effectiveness and consider introducing AEDs to more leisure venues.
In addition to professional training for lifeguards, LCSD also launched the "Water Safety Ambassador" scheme in 2005 by organising talks and education booths in primary schools to help children better understand the importance of pool cleanliness and water safety. So far, 34 schools have participated in the scheme.
A total of 30 primary students from Tung Koon School (Sheung Shui) graduated from the scheme this year and were presented with Water Safety Award Certificates today. They gave uniformly impressive performances during the event. By showing basic rescue skills including throwing of lifelines and lifebuoys, reach rescue and treatment for those falling unconscious, the youngsters demonstrated their readiness to join their older counterparts in promoting water safety in the community.
Commending the performing parties, Mr Cheung said that the graduates had put up a very good show of what they had acquired from their training and had fully demonstrated the professional skills of LCSD's lifeguards.
LCSD has always attached great importance to the provision of quality lifesaving services. A dedicated team of about 1,800 lifeguards during peak months, comprising civil service lifeguards, full-year contract lifeguards and seasonal lifeguards, is serving LCSD aquatic venues to ensure the safety of swimmers.
Ends/Friday, March 25, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:16
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