Even the possibility of the existence of fake lifeguards, with all that this entails for users of swimming pools (in various tourist businesses) was put before the Parliamentary Committee on the Interior, in which a discussion on a relevant bill is taking place.
On behalf of the Cyprus Lifeguard Federation, Mr. Polys Pallikaros stated that there are lifeguard training companies, they do a very good job but there are others that someone passes by and tells him "come and let's make you a lifeguard". We will also have such problems with the proposed regulation, he said, to continue: There is a person who works with hotels and in his effort to help them find lifeguards refers to YouTube or e-texts about what a lifeguard can be like.
It is worth noting that the Cyprus Lifeguard Federation (which trains lifeguards) is not approved, so it must submit an application in order to register as an association, as stated on behalf of the Ministry of Interior by Mr. Antonis Economides. Mr. Economides also referred to economic interests in the lifeguard industry.
The main issue that concerns the Interior Committee at this stage concerns the fact that the criteria required for someone to obtain a lifeguard diploma or certificate are considered very strict and so not many people obtain it, so lifeguards are hard to find. In order to address the problem that arose from the provisions of the existing legislation, the abolition of the relevant provision and the restoration of the provision of the previous legislation is being considered.
The shortage is such that, as has been said, lifeguards from third countries are also hired in swimming pools because there are no Cypriots available. It is noted that a swimming pool cannot operate if there is no lifeguard.
Lifeguards are not even found by the provincial administrations to staff the beaches.
The issue of the certification of bodies that are active in the training of lifeguards is expected to be assigned to the HRDA.
