The agreement allows access to the municipal lifeguard towers for the use of the Association's lifeguards.
- Municipality of Sámara photo -































Published Wednesday, February 10, 2021

New lifeguard station in Samara Beach


By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Mayor of Nicoya, Carlos Martínez, and the President of the Beach Surf Sports Association, Pablo Sánchez signed an agreement for the operation of the new lifeguard post in Sámara Beach, located in Nicoya Canton, Guanacaste Province.

According to the municipality, the agreement allows access to the municipal lifeguard towers for the use of the Association's lifeguards.

The volunteer lifeguards will be certified by specialists from the Costa Rican Red Cross. The will also be provided the necessary equipment to carry out lifeguard duties.

"We are very pleased that the lifeguard towers in Sámara are finally being used in the right way," Martínez said at the inauguration activity of the lifeguard station.

The lifeguards were trained to rescue people who suffer an aquatic accident and provide medical attention until the arrival of the Red Cross emergency units.

Similar to the futile driving ban implemented by the government that didn’t prevent motor vehicle accidents, implementing restrictions to access public beaches in 2020 didn't prevent water accidents either.



According to the 2020 statistics of the Red Cross, there were 184 people rescued from water accidents. And 96 people died of drowning.

To reduce deaths from water accidents, the Red Cross had increased prevention campaigns on the most visited beaches such as Manzanillo in Limón Province, Tamarindo in Guanacaste Province, Ventanas, Ballena Marine Park and Manuel Antonio in Puntarenas Province.

New lifeguard posts were also installed on the aforementioned beaches.

Paramedics call on the public to take safety actions even further during the summer school vacation break from December to February. "It is important to maintain a responsible behavior when entering the water," Jim Batres, Director of the Costa Rican Red Cross said.
 
The most common reminders are to not go swimming (swimming pools, lagoons or rivers) immediately after eating, avoid substances (such as liquor, medicines or drugs) that may reduce the ability to react in the water, and always take care of children and elderly people.

Another recommendation by specialists is to learn about the dangers of each beach by reading the warning signs or asking for information from the authorities or residents of the coastal communities.

Not all beaches have lifeguards, so tourists must inform themselves about the dangers of the beach they are visiting.

In the case of hiring a boat tour, it is recommended to ask the tour operator if the navigability certificate is valid, verify there are enough life jackets in good condition and do not agree to board the vessel if all occupants do not have their vests properly placed.

Tourists must also ask the tour operator to have the appropriate civil liability insurance policies, which is the minimum requirement to protect people in the event of an accident.


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What have you heard about the lack of lifeguard stations at your local beaches?  We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com


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