Swimmers at the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's swimming pools and beaches can be assured of the quality of services provided.

Putting swimmer safety as the first priority, the department ensures that adequate and quality lifeguard services are provided at all its aquatic venues, said Luk Chiu-yan, the department's Senior Leisure Manager.

Mr Luk pointed out that in deriving the seasonal requirement for lifeguards, the department took into account the swimming pools' sizes, designs, facilities, depths and attendance rates. It also made reference to overseas practices.

Safety first: Leisure & Cultural Services Department Senior Leisure Manager for Aquatic Venues Luk Chiu-yan says although there are fewer lifeguards at department-run pools and beaches, swimmers are safer than ever. Lifeguards use life-saving buoys and poles to help swimmers in difficulty.

He said that popular pools with high user rates, such as the one at Kowloon Park, had 27 lifeguards on each shift during the high season.

"We are conscious in exercising economy while upholding safety standards, and the deployment plan will meet the actual need of each swimming pool," Mr Luk said.

To ensure the expertise of lifeguards is put to best use, services not requiring life-saving skills are handled by other staff. For example, non-lifeguards can maintain order in the queues for water slides while lifeguards are stationed at strategic locations for life-saving duties.

Extra lifeguards help out on busy days

Also, lifeguard redeployment has been made following the completion of improvement works at some pool areas.

"On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, honorary lifeguards from the Hong Kong Life Saving Society are invited to provide supplementary service at some popular swimming pools and beaches," he added.

Since January 2003, the department lifeguard qualification had been upgraded to the level recognised by the International Life Saving Federation.

"To keep abreast of life-saving standards, lifeguards are required to take part in regular drills and in-service training programmes," he said.

Department provides on-the-job training

To train more people to become lifeguards, the department recruits interns and provides training courses and on-the-job training for them. So far, eight interns have completed all the courses, passed the technical examination and are now working as lifeguards at the department's pools.

"In the half-year internship, I have elevated my life-saving skills and have gained a better understanding of the operation of a swimming pool. These are useful to prepare for my lifeguard career," said Chu Hing-cheung, who now works as a lifeguard in Morse Park Swimming Pool.

He recalled a near-accident during his two months' work there. "One day when I was on duty, I spotted three children running out of strength who were unable to swim back to the poolside. I used my life-saving skills and prevented an accident," he said.

"As professional lifeguards, we must be responsible and always be on alert."