On Monday in Melnragė, near the central rescue station, the flag was officially raised: “Lifeguards on duty”.
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The water temperature by the sea at noon reached 18 degrees, the sea warmed up to 11 degrees. A few are already swimming.
However, as Aleksandras Siakki noted, there is already work to be done.
“We had selections back in April. In mid-May we had a second selection. We gathered 60 lifeguards, but only 50 will work for now. We always gather a reserve because sometimes during the season someone can no longer work. Anything can happen. So someone needs to replace them. The core of lifeguards remains the same, only about 40% are newcomers. Some are working their second or third season,” said A. Siakki.
One guy has been working as a lifeguard since 2011. During the cold season, he works as a driving instructor, and in the summers, the former swimmer works by the seaside.
There are quite a few girls in the team. As the lifeguard leader A. Siakki said, sometimes there are even workplace romances. “We try to ensure that love for the job is not disturbed, so we separate couples into different posts,” the speaker said.
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As A. Siakki noted, the main work of lifeguards is still not at sea, but on land. “A lot of preventive work with people due to child neglect, disorderly conduct, and alcohol consumption. There are also sunstrokes and strokes,” said the lifeguard.
Last year, 22 people were rescued, the year before 33. All of them, according to A. Siakki, were swimming despite the signs. He also had advice for the brave ones who jump in to save drowning people themselves. “First call 112. And only then, and only after assessing your capabilities, rush to save. You are more important. If you decide to save – take a floating object,” shared the lifeguard leader.
The season has also started for lifeguards in Palanga. Here, according to leader Jonas Pirožnikas, there will be 19 rescue stations, currently staffed by 34 lifeguards. “There will be many more as the season progresses. For now, there are fewer vacationers than lifeguards, so there is no need,” he said to 15min.
