TOURISM accommodations in the country, including hotels and hotel residences, that have swimming pools or beaches will now have to ensure that certified lifeguards are present at all times, as part of updated safety regulations by the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA).
Earlier this month, a circular was issued by the authority to ensure such establishments fully comply with the new regulations.
All lifeguards have to be certified by Royal Life Saving Bahrain (RLSB) within the next three months, according to the circular.
“Within the framework of enhancing safety of guests and tourists, and ensuring the provision of a safe accommodation environment, tourism establishments containing swimming pools or beaches must provide a lifeguard with a certificate issued by RLSB,” it said.
“Fully comply with the standards of safety as outlined in the guidelines for safe pool and beach operations.”
RLSB general manager Sam Rahman praised the new regulations, stating that it will enhance the experience of tourists in Bahrain.
Mr Rahman
“This is fantastic news and a major step towards enhancing safety in hotels around the country, as it ensures a consistent level of safety,” Mr Rahman told the GDN.
“Now, tourists can have a peace of mind, knowing that there is a required level of safety regulations in pools and beaches in such accommodations.
“RLSB has always provided internationally recognised lifeguard certification, but now legal requirements not only mean it is mandatory, but they also have to comply with a number of safety guidelines.
“There are comprehensive documents that outline all safety requirements, including access control, first aid, water quality assessment and number of lifeguards and necessary training, and more.”
The guidelines outline three different types of beaches – hotel and resort beaches, semi-public beaches and public beaches.
They cover extensive information on design and facilities, supervision and beach operation, first aid and emergency management.
All beaches longer than 200 metres must have lifeguard towers with an elevated unobstructed view of swimming areas, a flag pole, ventilation, clear windows, shade and emergency equipment.
Accommodations must also ensure that enough lifeguards are on duty, dependent on how long the beach is. For example, beaches less than 100m should preferably have two lifeguards, while those longer than 500m should have ideally seven lifeguards on duty.
Meanwhile, the guidelines also identify six types of pools – waterparks and hotels, public pools, private hire pools, school pools, residential pools and private home pools.
The number of lifeguards required depends on the pool size. Pools with an area of 170 to 312 square metres should ideally have at least two lifeguards, 416sqm should have three, while 1,000sqm and above should have at least six on duty.
Mr Rahman said that these measures could potentially save thousands of lives in the coming years.
“This year alone, our team has already performed more than 150 rescues across the country,” he said.
“Lifeguards in hotels across the country already rescue people on an almost daily basis.
“By ensuring the accommodation has the correct number of certified and trained lifeguards, we could end up potentially saving thousands and thousands of lives.”
Hotels and accommodations have been given three months to comply with the new guidelines, and Mr Rahman reiterated RLSB’s desire to assist them.
“We are on hand to support them in getting their certification and ensuring all safety standards are up to requirements,” he said.
“There is a range of free resources that they can use, we can train their employees and purchase the necessary equipment they need from us.
“Currently, hotels need to complete a self-audit of guidelines and assess where they are in terms of water safety, and then they need to start taking the steps to become fully compliant.”
n To obtain the necessary certification or get more information, accommodations can contact RLSB by calling 17238888 or via email at info@rlsbahrain.org.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
Safety around water – Page 13
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