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Hong Kong's lifeguards are among the best in the world in term of their training and equipment employed for rescue and resuscitation, according to someone who should know.

Dr Patrick Yeung, a member of the board of directors of the International Life Saving Federation (ILS), the highest international governing body in the field of life saving and Chief Examiner and Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Life Saving Society (HKLSS), said : "Hong Kong's lifeguards are fast gaining international recognition for their advanced training, outstanding performance at open lifeguard competitions and readiness to adopt the latest water rescue devices".

"The result is that taking a dip in Hong Kong waters or public swimming pools supervised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department lifeguards (LCSD) is comparatively safer than anywhere else in the world. And one of the main reasons is that HKLSS, which is responsible for issuing various life saving medals in recognition of different proficiency levels, works closely with LCSD in the ongoing quest for improvement to LCSD's life saving service."

"Further indicators of our standard can be seen in the fact that we are among the first to mandate Aquatic First Aid as part of lifeguard training in Hong Kong. While Australian specialists in open water rescue, who leads the world in ocean rescue, have rated Hong Kong lifeguards deployed at gazetted beaches as among the best trained and equipped in the world," Dr Yeung explained.

An LCSD spokesman said : "Dr Yeung's high regard for our lifeguards is easily borne out by our stringent requirements. All lifeguard recruits must possess a minimum of a Bronze Medallion issued by HKLSS. They are then put through a four-day lifeguard training programme conducted by qualified HKLSS instructors. But even more important is that throughout their service, we will arrange for them to receive additional training and encourage them to obtain higher life saving qualifications which are pre-requisites to promoting lifeguards to a higher grade."

"To help lifeguards cope better with diverse water environment, we would arrange for them to take special training in canoe life saving, scuba diving and the operation of inflatable rescue boats (IRB) and jet skis.

"In fact, Hong Kong was among the first places in the world to introduce jet skis as an open water rescue vessel following the First Asia Pacific Jet Ski Rescue Training Camp run by the Professional Instructors of Hawaiian Lifeguards Association in 1999.

"Furthermore, Mr Norman Farmer, the Chairman of ILS's Education Commission, visited Hong Kong the same year to conduct the First International Referee (Life Saving in Still Water) Training Course," the spokesman added.

The ILS's high esteem for LCSD lifeguards were abundantly validated in the First International Lifesaving Competition at the Arafura Games 2001 held in Darwin, Australia. Three LCSD lifeguards netted a total of 10 prizes. One of them, 21-year-old Yuen Kai-lai, distinguished himself at the Games by single-handedly winning four gold, two silver and one bronze.

Still on the medals front, 32 of the 54 persons awarded Rescue Stars for their bravery and devotion to duty were LCSD lifeguards. While the Chairman's Trophy, the highest honour, was awarded by the HKLSS's Water Safety Council to a team of LCSD lifeguards at Shek O Beach for their exemplary performance in a rescue mission.

The team included Chan Yuk-fai, 34, who had received the Rescue Star Award six times in his 12 years as a lifeguard at Shek O, where he was also a resident. This fact probably saved the lives of two young swimmers in 1999 during the passage of Typhoon Leo on May 2, 1999 when life saving service was suspended following the hoisting of Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 8. While off duty, Mr Chan heard the cries for help from the two swimmers and with the help of another off-duty lifeguard, managed to bring them to safety on Shek O Beach.

With his eyes habitually squinting towards the horizon scanning the swimmers within the shark net encircled area, Mr Chan offered some cautionary words for swimmers. "One of the most common causes of swimmers getting into difficulties is under-estimating the underwater current strength particularly when Typhoon Signals No. 1 and 3 are hoisted. Very often, the sea condition may appear deceptively calm, which can turn violent very quickly. While the underwater current can drag even strong swimmers into the open sea."

"Near drownings are more common among unsupervised youngsters and those who have a physical ailment which obstructs breathing, such as asthma," added Mr Chan, who had lost count of the number of swimmers he saved over the years, but estimated them to be in the 70-80 region.

Also offering his advice on drowning prevention, Mr Yuen, who is posted at the Tseung Kwan O Public Swimming Pool, observed : "The biggest danger is for youngsters jumping into the deep end of a pool without realizing what they are doing. But this can be easily prevented if they are supervised by adults."

In fact, the LCSD has begun implementing a new rule requiring all children under the age of 12 to be accompanied by adults when entering public swimming pools.

In recent years, there had been a greater public awareness of water safety as a result of the constant publicity campaign conducted by LCSD. The next one will be launched on June 29, 2002 in the Kowloon Park Swimming Pool.

The campaign will not only be directed at users of gazetted beaches and public swimming pools. It will also extend to the water sports centres operated by LCSD, the spokesman said.

"For users of our water sports centres, we will continue to publicise our common sense water safety tips. We will urge them to receive proper training before venturing out into the open sea by themselves, wear a life jacket or buoyancy aid, check their equipment especially their boat's inherent buoyancy, learn the correct signals to summon help, wear suitable clothing, keep away from busy navigation channels and fishing boats and pay attention to local weather forecasts."

"Equally important, they must not abandon their boat or board unless it sinks, overload their vessel or board, sail in open sea where there is strong tide or offshore wind, eat too much or too little before activity, and they should not sail in the dark or in poor visibility. For surf boarders, ensure that they are tied to the safety leash of their board," advised the spokesman.

Last year's attendance at gazetted beaches and public swimming pools reached a record of 10.53 million and 9.56 million head counts respectively. The number of drownings were one in gazetted beaches and two in public swimming pools, which also recorded 151 and 161 successful rescue cases respectively.

The history of life saving in Hong Kong began before World War II when life saving training and examination system were introduced here by the British Military and expatriate officers from the Hong Kong Police Force. But it was not until 1956 that HKLSS's predecessor, the Hong Kong Life Guard Club (HKLGC) was established, and the first Hong Kong Chinese passed the Diploma of the Royal Life Saving Society.

In 1974, the HKLGC was one of the founder members of the World Life Saving, which was later amalgamated into the ILS in 1994. It was renamed the HKLSS in 1996. In 1997, it set up its own life saving examination syllabi and regulations and issued a series of life saving awards and certificates for all Hong Kong lifeguards, including those working for the LCSD.

All senior LCSD lifeguards are required to possess a Lifeguard Distinction Award issued by HKLSS, which is rare among private sector lifeguards. They are also required to undergo a three-day programme on leadership training run by the Hong Kong Adventure Corps, which is staffed by members of the now disbanded Hong Kong Regiment.

The HKLSS will also introduce a new lifeguard system for LCSD starting on January 1, 2003 to further enhance its life saving service.

End/Wednesday, May 1, 2002

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