Updated: Woman dies after St George's Bay swim

Lt. Albert Falzon

Aug 16th 2008, 21:35

I know that st john and even red cross members are trained in life saving, but they are few to be able to manage all the beaches around the island on 24/7. What i know for sure that its a pity that these volunteers do a job like this and still do not get paid. I know that payment is done to the ngo and not to volunteers themselves. what i wish to see is that these volunteers get paid for their time and fuel cost, and the NGO gets funds to train more these volunteers. i also wish that government gives powers to these volunteers to issue fines and thus this island moves forward. i know this might be a dream, but who knows. dreams sometimes get real.
i would like to thank these volunteers for the good work they do regardless to which ngo they belong to.

Anthony Buhagiar

Aug 15th 2008, 22:39

I would like to point out to Lt. Albert Falzon, that some members of the St. John Rescue Corps (a voluntary NGO) are already trained for life saving. Such training was given by the RLSS Malta Branch.

The St. John Rescue Corps has over 15 members who are Bronze Medallion & Bronze Cross certified and over 10 members are Award of Merit & Silver Cross certified. One could check such certificates within the RLSS UK site.

I would like to point out that St. John Rescue Corps is still not paid for life guarding Ghadira Bay way back in Summer 2006 and now we are in Summer 2008.

C. Weitze

Aug 15th 2008, 13:07

Regarding volunteers and workers: there are plenty of students who are looking for summer jobs, plenty of unemployed, who could do the famous 1 Euro-Job - in some countries unemployed are forced to take on these jobs in order to get unemployment benefits, thus making sure, that nobody is using unemployment benefits to their advantage - ...and so on.

As for life guards in particular: In my childhood the life guards at the national pools (there were at least 3 in attendance at any point in time) had a double function: they were also swimming instructors, who would offer classes - from beginners all the way up to life guard training.
Every course finished with an examen and a batch to prove swimming as well as first aid skills and general knowledge of how to behave in the water.
Courses are already offered in Malta, but so far only at some pools. Recently a Waterpolo Pitch offered swimming lessons to 11 to 15 year olds in the sea. One could adapt this system and offer it at various beaches, which could mean another source of income and a recruitment for new life guards.

Lt. Albert Falzon

Aug 15th 2008, 11:10

I think everyone would like to go and swim in a beach that knows that is safe and if something happens, he/she can find assistance. But we maltese cant afford paying more taxes just to have this kind of service. but far from this, the main problem is, will we find volunteers and workers who want to do this job? one must keep in mind that doing the job of lifegaurd is not so much easy. most of us see these lifegaurds sitting on a tower and say that its an easy job. Trust me its not. When you sit on that tower loads of responsabilty is carried up, starting from giving first aid to acciendent managment. also keep in mind that he/she is putting his/her life in danger just to save someone else. although we train and teach that if its not safe for the lifegaurd dont go for the rescue, no one of us stick to the rule. we all risk more than we should and we dont do it for money.

C. Weitze

Aug 14th 2008, 23:00

...suggests Mr. Catania, who would definetly opt for taking his own food and drinks to the beach in order to avoid paying VAT, that could be used to finance clean and safe beaches. May I say that you are cheeky? ;0)

Now seriously, you - as a nation - have to decide what you want: clean and safe beaches at a price or....the filthy unsafe ones that we are having right now. If you choose the last option, than please stop grumbling about lifeguards and all the rest.

Denis Catania

Aug 14th 2008, 21:22

I don't think the tourists will mind. But if we have elsewhere to get it from, that's fine.Tourists don't mind safety, especially when it's 1Euro. This tax would include all incoming flights including Maltese.When I fly in half the plane is Maltese passengers. This is a tax you don't need to hide, tourists want to have fun in a safe manner.As far as the respect, the law has to it's hands down, and make some arrests.A lifeguard should be treated like a cop. He is there to protect and serve.But I hope something is done. Or take it from the VAT department 2% out of the VAT paid near the beaches or waterfronts should be used for water and recreation services.

Lt. Albert Falzon

Aug 14th 2008, 21:04

If its true that 1.4 million euro can be collected per year, will be great, although i dont think that one turist should be charged. if we cut few taxes and extra expenses that the country has, we can have proffesional lifegaurds. As far as iknow in Malta there are 4 voluntary NGO, Redcross, St. john, Special Rescue Group and the EFRU. with 1.4 million these ngo can get proffesional traoining in life saving, and recruit full times for this job and get paid. also all these ngo have their own ambulances and thus, will not be a stress on amulance service of Materdei. As police patrols, on some beaches is always there by ALE both on land and also on sea. what needs to be done is that we maltese learn to respect each other and obey to orders given and not ignore them. its not an easy job, but we must learn. i also believe that all maltese should start to learn first aid. after all the cours eis not that expensive.

C. Weitze

Aug 14th 2008, 20:20

Do you realise that you are simply wanting to put a charge on travellers only?

What about the thousands of Maltese, that use the public beaches on a regular base - and leave their litter behind? Those, who never/hardly travel abroad but spend their holidays in Malta / at their summer residences in the North.
With the system you've suggested, they would get the service free of charge. Sorry guys, but not even death is free of charge nowadays!

May I remind you what I said earlier on: In Germany EVERYBODY - no matter if local or traveller - HAS TO PAY WHEN ENTERING A BEACH...whereas travellers pay the beach taxes at the hotel they are staying in and locals buy their tickets directly at the beach or at some other outlet.

NO Difference is being made, since everybody can enjoy the same service: life guards with an ambulance in attendance, cleanliness of the beach, showers etc.

Of course it involves money, but at the same time it would also create new jobs!

Joz Camilleri

Aug 14th 2008, 19:07

I guess that one way of funding lifeguards, showers, hygienic services, etc, for example, could commence by dedicating a 10% from the travelling surcharge we have to pay on our fares. This, I guess, would be a step in the right direction - I still do not understand where the surcharge money goes!!

Denis Catania

Aug 14th 2008, 15:18

Lt Falzon: I understand where you are coming from. When rescuers are abused and citizens get in the way. This is where the police chief John Rizzo needs to step up to plate. A charge of not yielding to an emergency crew should be put on the laws. Should someone not evacuate a beach when asked to. That person should be charged. Next time there's an emergency, scream shark to the bathers.You see how tough they are. But yes I do agree with you. Itr's sounds you need help from the police on this issue.
@C. Weitze: Yes if we can't figure out how to fund this, a beach pass should be sold.Hotel pools charge a hefty fee to swim. Although a 1Euro on all incoming flights would be best. Of the record I was told this can raise 1.4 million Euros.

Lt. Albert Falzon

Aug 14th 2008, 10:15

Att. Mr. Catania. Statics non official always showed that life gaurd and rescues at sea (by CPD and AFM) is always high. The problem here in Malta is that news only report death incidents, rather you hear that for example two students were saved in comino, or the few 10 ppl that find themselves in difficulty in Golden bay, which is one on the most dangeroues due to under currents. It true also that in US in case of emergency, there is a siren and all bathers get out from the sea until the emergency is cleared. i done my 9 month training in the US and this was how we used to work, and bather give full collaboration and be thankful. But, do you know what you get when we tried in in Malta, ppl swearing, insulting you and treat you as s**t. I am sorry to say that we maltese dont respect each other. Being a rescuer, fire fighter, lifegaurd, medical proffessional and a volunteer, is not a job, its a dedication toward other. no one can imaginge the risks we go in to save someones life. but hearing that THANKS give courage to continue.

C. Weitze

Aug 14th 2008, 10:08

Mario Bonici's comment about the ambulance that had to be called from Mater Dei let me go down memory lane. I tried to remember how this situation is tackled in Germany.

Yes, there are well trained life guards at the costal beaches - even at public swimming pools.
Yes, there is most of the time an ambulance stationed near the life guard's house...

BUT - here comes the difference: PEOPLE HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS SERVICE!

Going to the beach in Germany has always been at a charge. No difference was made between locals or holiday makers. You can buy day, weekly or seasonal tickets.

The money collected is used for keeping the beaches clean, for regular police patrols, for life guards. In most places it includes the use of sweet water showers and clean public toilets. I must say, that the last time, I was at the northatlantic ocean in 2007, the beach was spotlessly clean and very well organised.

But this is Malta and I wonder (I doubt), whether the Maltese would be willing to adapt to the above system and pay for having safe and clean beaches in return. Would you?!?

Mary Smith

Aug 14th 2008, 07:20

Shouldn't the lifeguards be on watch duty. How come another swimmer spotted her when the lifeguards are supposed to be on duty. Abroad they are in makeshift towers and use binoculars. Hasn't anyone realised that they only gave aid after she was brought out of the water!
(I am not saying this by reading these few lines here, I have seen the news on every Maltese channel as well as having a family member at the beach when it happened)

philip pace

Aug 14th 2008, 07:06

Welcome to the circus,
The report had only a brief description of what happened written in just four sentences and as usual commentators have drawn up their own conclusions.
How can one draw up a conclusion to a very brief 'space filler'?
I can't as I was not there.
Would there be the usual autopsy on the body to verify the death as according to the police statement?
Would that be necessary?

Denis Catania

Aug 14th 2008, 02:48

Lt. Falzon I think the problem is Malta is understaffed. Maybe you are right the lifeguard was attending other emergencies. Don't you think if that was the case, the bathers should have been called to shore until his attention could go back to the bathers? I've noticed that when an emergency happens on a beach at home in the US, the bathers are evacuated, even while first aid is given, until the attention of the lifeguards are back on the bathers. You are right no one should point fingers at any rescuers, not just lifeguards, but all rescuers. But we can and should point our fingers at the hire ups, when we feel they are understaffed. Although you are right about when your contract with life expires. Lieutenant Can you give us your professional opinion on the rate of surviving , when a fully staffed lifeguards are guarding bathers? If there is such stats?

Mario Bonnici

Aug 14th 2008, 00:43

I think it's about time that we start investing seriously so to make our beaches safer.
Not all beaches have life guards, or in some beaches you find just one lifeguard guarding the whole bay. And what about medical assistance. Today I read the article about the incident where the 14 year old boy lost his life. It says that they had to call the ambulance from Mater Dei!! That's because there's no clinic near to Ghadira! I think there should be a clinic stand by (just for Summer) in order to assist any emergency in one of our popular beaches (Ghadira, Golden Bay, Armier,...).

Anthony Buhagiar

Aug 13th 2008, 21:45

I would like to refer to the comment which Adrian Cardona raised regrading life gaurds. The RLSS (Royal Life Saving Society) Malta which is ran by volunteers give various courses during the summer regarding life saving techniques. Such courses are all recognised by international societies.

Lt. Albert Falzon

Aug 13th 2008, 21:30

I am a certified and expierenced life gaurd training in the USA. In my work life i saved lifes but also had ppl that didnt make it. Does it mean i am not good. NO, i always said that when your life contract has come to expire, whatever you do, comes useless. There where instances were i was the balance between life and death. No one can blame the life guard in st georges bay. they are there to help and assist. if a passer by noticed the women, doesnt mean the lifegaurd wasnt there or looking somewhere else. Maybe he was giving first aid to someone else, or he was doing what we call the emergency procedure, that means, locate casualty, call for assistance ( ambulance, police or fire) and than rescue.
so dont point figure to lifeguard until we know the full story

josette pace

Aug 13th 2008, 20:45

i only believe in destiny! lifeguard or no lifeguard if one s time is up .....it s up!

Denis Catania

Aug 13th 2008, 20:14

@Ivan Camilleri: No I was not there. The question is where was the lifeguard? Since she was found by another swimmer.Lifeguards are no guarantee, just like airbags are no guarantee,but cars have to have airbags.
@To the lifeguard on duty, this no put down.I appreciate what you guys do. Especially the volunteers. We need more lifeguards. Can the Times publish a list of beaches that have lifeguards on duty? This would be helpful.

Robert Borg

Aug 13th 2008, 20:08

Seems the maltese seas are haunted!!

Andrew Borg-Cardona

Aug 13th 2008, 19:46

Don't some people have even the slightest touch of humanity about them? Arguing politics in a story like this? Cheap and nasty.

Stefan Engelbert

Aug 13th 2008, 19:28

Why are you always trying to blame somebody without even knowing what happend? Maybe the poor lady had a stroke, heart attack or whatever.

John Pisani

Aug 13th 2008, 19:24

The police statement said that a passerby noticed that she was face down in the sea. The woman was brought ashore and was given firs aid by the lifeguard that was at the beach (ragel li kien fil-vicinanzi induna li din kienet qeda wiccha l’isfel fil-wicc tal-bahar. Il-mara ttelghet fuq l-art u bdiet tinghata l-ewwel ghajnuna minn lifeguards li kien hemm fil-bajja).. My question is....what was the lifeguard (bay watch) looking at?

A Licari

Aug 13th 2008, 18:40

My impression - please correct me if I am wrong - is that government has an agreement with life-guards regarding St George's Bay. There is even a platform from where life-guards can see the whole beach and bay very well.This incident happened in the afternoon. What time are the life- guards on duty?

While on the subject, does government also have an agreement with security guards for this bay? Only last week, a group of young foreign men were harassing people on this beach. This included whistling aloud and shouting near people who were peacefully resting on the sand. They were about eight and, when I looked at them, one of them challenged me for a fight. Very courageous indeed; eight young men challenging for a fight an older man on his own!

Sometimes there are patches of oil in the water. Where does ithe oil come from?

Finally are people allowed to sleep all night on this beach? Is it hygienic?

C. Weitze

Aug 13th 2008, 18:28

There are so many different reasons why things can go wrong....and no, it is not always due to ignorance, the lack of swimming skills or the non-existance life guards.

One reason that has not been mentioned so far is the one, that almost cost me my own life: spasm of the laringe caused by accidentally swallowing sea water.

People, who have experienced this will agree with me: the panic that you experience when swallowing sea water and the spasm blocks your air vent is unbelievable and for many unbearable. The most important thing in this situation is: do not panic -ha-ha-ha, easier said than done- and try to hold onto something and relax.

I am a sports swimmer and do exercise regularly....and still ...it happened to me and although from that moment on I purely trained in pools, avoiding the sea for training, it happened to me again, twice, during a casual swim in the sea, but thanks to precautions, no harm was done.

Oh, and by the way: you can have an army of life guards around you...they cannot do anything in this particular situation!

George Debono

Aug 13th 2008, 18:19

Oh come on, please show some respect and intelligence. It cannot be that there are so many daft people out there who blame lifeguards and/or the government for these tragic deaths?! It's unbelievable.

Luke Buttigieg

Aug 13th 2008, 17:48

Isn't the point of lifeguards to guard the life of swimmers? Clearly they are not proving effective.

dbugeja

Aug 13th 2008, 17:34

Unfortunetly, accidents do happens and tragedies occur as is destined, however one should be more aware and careful and teach our children that swimming at night like the boy from San Gwann did is dangerous, and swimming far might also be dangerous.

If we were more careful we could avoid many heartbreaks and tragedies.

D Schembri

Aug 13th 2008, 17:13

one should think more before expressing ones views

St George's bay is a Blue Flag designated bay, meaning amongst other things that the area is maned by lifeguards.

One might be also wise to consider the possibility that such a mishap could also have been so easily caused by other medical conditions not related to the Sea and its environment.

Why must we all jump to a conclusion, play Judge and Jury, point fingers and blame Government and / or the authorities, on whatever happens in this blessed country.

I am sure that after all facts are known, one might even consider expressing oneself with more maturity the next time around.

wally vella-zarb

Aug 13th 2008, 17:07

This is not a case of blaming any government. People, unfortunately, have a habit of not treating the sea with its due respect. Frequently one sees people going for a swim after hours of sunbathing, leading to thermal shock and possible cardiac arrest. They swim directly after having a meal or consuming alcohol and get severe cramps or loss of blood pressure. They dive headfirst in the dark and, like that poor boy yesterday, hit their head heavily against underwater objects.

Lifeguards are not much help in such circumstances. And, if one reads the above article, there WAS a lifeguard who did attempt resuscitation while the ambulance was on its way.

In such accidents, any blame usually lies squarely on the shoulders of the swimmers - not on the lifeguards, not on the minister, not on the government.

Respect the sea: it is as ruthlessly unforgiving as it is pleasant.

mary Pace

Aug 13th 2008, 17:05

Why is that whatever happen here in our dear country ""MALTA"" is always the goverment fault????????

Nik Xuereb Conti

Aug 13th 2008, 17:03

@ noel grixti d'amato - This article has just been updated. In the original article there was no mention of lifeguards.

s.bugeja

Aug 13th 2008, 17:02

Are you asking for a life guard or a miracle worker? there is a difference you know! the 14 year ols boy died of concussion and he went swimming at night. the woman who drowned today was seen face down in the water. he did not cry out forhelp because she found herself being carried out on the current. so a life guard would not have done any difference.

Bella Camilleri

Aug 13th 2008, 17:01

Mr. Dimech.....can you read english PLEASE - there were more than one lifeguards.....

J.M. Chapelle

Aug 13th 2008, 17:01

Let us remember that a lifeguard is trained in swimming techniques that are designed to bring a panicked and/or tired/unconscious swimmer to shore without endangering the lifeguard.... and then if needs be, start CPR.

If this woman suffered from an angina / heart / epileptic attack or a stroke, we cannot rely on the lifeguard to do much.

So its unfair to point fingers without adequate information.

But then again, to point fingers to rouse awareness is totally acceptable.

noel grixti d'amato

Aug 13th 2008, 16:55

to all of you, if you had read the article properly, THERE WAS A LIFEGUARD!!!

Victor Dimech

Aug 13th 2008, 16:53

Yes it is the governments fault for all these drownings,maybe a lifeguard for every swimming person will solve the problem.But than who will safe guard the lifeguard.

sabine grech

Aug 13th 2008, 16:29

Yes , Mr Abela I think you are right. It is very easy to blame someone else always ..

Karl Abela

Aug 13th 2008, 16:23

To all those sad, big mouth and politically blinded people who don’t have their facts right …. St. George’s bay has got two certified life guards present during the whole day.

In the news report of the 14 year old that died yesterday at Ghadira, some individuals were quick to remark that there should have been a life guard. The accident of today happened despite the presence of the life guards. What now? Is it still the government’s fault? I am sick and tired of reading comments that it’s the governments fault for this and that…comments by persons who try to shoot down the government at every opportunity they get.

Bella Camilleri

Aug 13th 2008, 16:17

Life Guard or no Life Guard...do we readers really know what happened to the woman from Ta' Giorni who died in Exiles, Sliema = angina = inqattatilha vina f'moha....the 14 year old boy died after a midnight jump = maybe dived in shallow waters and hit his head....I was not there so am not in a position to say anything....but just reading from all these messages makes me sad.
In a time like this we should not be pointing fingers at anyone but pray for them and their famalies.

Ivan Camilleri

Aug 13th 2008, 16:06

@ Mr Catania
if you were not there how can you speak?? maybe there was a lifeguard!!

clive borg

Aug 13th 2008, 16:05

i think its not the case there should be a lifeguard or not... you should pay attention while swimming...you should know your ups and downs while swimming and after everything in life there is your choice and risk to take in life....
else we should surround all the island with lifeguards and still there would be deaths at sea.....

Denis Catania

Aug 13th 2008, 16:03

Franco Farrugia: Do you think or there is. How many lifeguards per swimmer. Mr. Farrugia I'm living proof that lifeguards perform miracles, with the help of god ofcourse. 1974 Rockaway beach New York. I wasn't abusing the waters either. The undertide was taking me further away from shore, without the lifeguards I would not have surrvived another 5 minutes.It did take more than one lifeguard to bring me back to shore safely.

Franco Farrugia

Aug 13th 2008, 15:47

I think there IS a lifeguard at St George's Bay.
But Mr Catania, while a lifeguard helps, s/he is not going to perform miracles.

Denis Catania

Aug 13th 2008, 15:41

Minister of Health, Minister of Tourism how many more drownings should we wait for, before you act.I gave you guys some suggestions. Now run with them. This case a lifeguard could have made a difference.

jane mifsud

Aug 13th 2008, 15:36

@ mr cardona... st george's bay should have a lifeguard, if not mistaken.

Adrian Cardona

Aug 13th 2008, 15:30

Would it cost the government so much to train or employ lifeguards?