LIFEGUARDS on Spanish beaches want to see alcohol banned to keep bathers safe, pointing out the dangers of drinking and then going into the sea.
In the same way as the public is now conscious of the extreme risk of driving after having consumed alcohol, the Spanish Life-Saving Federation (RFESS) says that same awareness needs to be created among sunseekers.
Although children are the most vulnerable to drowning in pools and the sea, statistically, most victims are adults, the RFESS says.
Exactly a third of those who drown are pensioners, according to safety and prevention commission coordinator Jéssica Pino.
“Age-related physical problems, such as reduction in mobility, heart conditions and the greater risk of heart attacks that come with age are among the main risks,” Sra Pino says.
“The middle-aged and the elderly are not conscious that their abilities, response times and mobility are gradually reducing – add to this the lack of a culture of first aid knowledge in Spain, and the risk is higher.”
CPR, mouth-to-mouth and other basic first aid skills are not habitually taught in schools in Spain, and the RFESS wants to see this changing.
“We're always putting all our efforts into preventing accidents in the water involving children, but pensioners also need our help – accidents involving the middle-aged and elderly are completely preventable,” Jéssica Pino argues.
But the main cause of drowning in the 30-45 age group is alcohol, she reveals.
“Chiringuitos [temporary beach kiosks set up for summer] are normally very close by when someone gets into trouble in the sea,” says Sra Pino.
“We need to start setting up '0,0' or '0%' beaches.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com