Canada Embassy hosts Lifeguard Program in Dominican beaches

Punta Cana, DominicanRepublic.- Canada ambassador Steve Côté recently headed the Canadian Embassy´s conclusionof the sixth Lifesaving Program, conducted in areas of Punta Cana, Bavaro and PuertoPlata from October 19 to 31.

This year´s wo-week programinvolved 139 people, the highest number thus far. Of the total 116 individualstook one of the two courses on water rescue techniques, water rescue swimming,first aid, CPR, the use of defibrillator and more.

The rest of theparticipants received professional lifesaving training with Canadian standards,including advanced search and rescue, advanced first aid, rescue and masscasualty management and supervision of an aquatic environment, includingbeaches, pools and water parks. Of the 23 participants, 16 were newly permanentlyassigned by the local council to Playa Macao, La Altagracia province.

In the closing ceremonycertificates were awarded to 139 participants, who said they appreciated formingpart of the initiative and were satisfied with their achievements from thetraining .

Accompanied by PuntaCana local officials, Côté said he was happy to see that a new group of youngpeople had been trained to save lives the Punta Cana and Puerto Plata."This is a joint work that further strengthens the relations of bothcountries."

“The Canadian Embassywishes to acknowledge and congratulate the more than 25 companies andorganizations who saw the importance of training their staff in thesetechniques, with a special mention for Macao Surf Camp.”

“We also appreciate thevaluable contribution of all the sponsors who make it possible for this programis offered free to all: the Lifesaving Society of Canada-Nova Scotia Branch,Westjet Vacations, Occidental Grand Punta Cana, Lifestyle Holidays VacationResort, Grand Palladium Punta Cana, ASHONORTE, Go Golf Tours, CaribbeanLifesaving Society, Rescue Group, S-Trip !, Caribbean Golf & Tours, Tubaguaand Macao Surf Camp.

The Lifeguard Programbegan in 2010 in Puerto Plata, organized by the Honorary Consulate of Canada inthat province; it was then implement it in Punta Cana in 2010 when the need wasidentified to train staff from the tourist areas in rescue measures and firstaid to reduce deaths caused by drowning. This is the sixth time that is taughtin the country and to date more than 900 employees in the tourism sector haveparticipated in the program nationwide.

For more information onthis and other programs visit our twitter accounts and Facebook:

Twitter:CanEmbDR(ENG),AmbCanRD (FR)EmbCanRD (ESP)