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Formentera lifeguard and rescue service

FOTO SOCORRISTESThis morning saw councillor of the presidential cabinet, Bartomeu Escandell, rolling out details of the 2015 Servei de Socorrisme i Seguretat de Platges ('Beachside lifeguard and rescue service') of the Formentera Council. “A total of 18 lifeguards are employed across the island to assure our beaches are kept safe,” explained the councillor, who emphasised: “A quality tourist destination needs to have quality services on its beaches”.

Formentera's lifeguard and rescue service is provided from 1 May to mid-October. As managing supervisor Sergi Martín notes, the most common task for lifeguards is “preventative action, followed by care for minor incidents such as jellyfish stings or sunstroke”.

112 emergency services coordination

Council officials have expressed their desire to increase coordination with 112 emergency services in order to provide rapid response in those cases – in the words of Councillor Escandell – “when one minute can save lives”. The most incident-prone area on the island according to Martín: “Es Pas des Trucadors, or es Arenals and Llevant when there are rip currents”.

Adapted beaches

Adjustments have been made at the es Arenals and es Pujols beaches to accommodate the needs of swimmers with reduced mobility. To ensure the best possible service can be provided, we ask that advance notice be given by calling 609.76.85.06. We also remind users that the service is available from 12 noon to 5 p.m., only when green safety flags are flown. The Council is proud to announce that the aquatic lifts used by the lifeguard and rescue service have recently been upgraded and are currently the latest generation models.

Lifeguard towers

The es Arenals, ses Illetes and Llevant beaches each possess a lifeguard watchtower and first-aid station to better tend to injuries and provide improved care to accident victims. The first-aid stations were acquired last summer, constituting an important improvement to the Formentera safety service. Watchtowers can also be found at beaches in es Pujols, es Pas des Trucadors, Hotel RIU la Mola and the restaurant Tanga.

Everywhere lifeguard services are available there is also a complete first-aid kit, oxygen therapy system, state-of-the-art, semi-automatic defibrillator and floating spine board.

A rescue watercraft is also available at ses Illetes beach as well as a Jet Ski at es Pas des Trucadors, Llevant and es Arenals.

Much of the rescue service's equipment has recently been upgraded. It now includes: Rescue cans and rescue tubes. Not long ago the rescue service's watercraft was fitted with a radio transmitter and propeller guard. Important investments have also been made in the maintenance of the lifeguard and rescue service's Jet Skis, described below.

6 Oxidoc resuscitation kids x €400/unit = €2,400

2 first-aid stations x €4,000/unit = €8,000

2 aqua lifts x €2,000/unit = €4,000

3 stretchers x €500/unit = €1,500

Rescue material = €1,000

Wetsuits = €350

Neoprene life jackets = €1,200

Watercraft maintenance = €4,000

Jet Ski maintenance = €2,000

Communication kits (10 walkie talkies and underwater telephones) = €2,300

New crew uniforms (fast-drying, high-visibility neon T-shirts) = €700

Lifeguard and rescue staff complete yearly refresher courses both in first-aid and handling techniques for accident victims in marine environments.

The fact that the CiF is the only town council officially recognised as providing a municipal safe beaches service means lower costs of operation are possible. Those savings are then reinvested to ensure a better service can be provided.

The lifeguard and rescue service timetable is as follows:

BEACH
PERIOD        
TIMETABLE

Ses Illetes

1 May to 15 June and
16 September to 31 October
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

16 June to 15 September
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Es Pas des Trucadors

1 June to 15 June and
16 September to 30 September
12 noon – 4 p.m.

16 June to 15 September
12 noon – 6 p.m.

Platja de Llevant

1 May to 15 June and
16 September to 31 October
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

16 June to 15 September
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Platja des Arenals

1 May to 15 June and
16 September to 31 October
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

16 June to 15 September
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Es Pujols

1 June to 15 June
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

16 June to 15 September
12 noon – 6 p.m.

Lifeguard services at es Arenals include the beach at RIU la Mola. Lifeguard services at Llevant include a lifeguard post at the Tanga restaurant.

To consult current sea conditions, visit www.platgesdebalears.com

Media

Gabinet de Premsa


971 32 10 87 - Ext: 3181
premsa@conselldeformentera.cat