Palawan volunteers undergo water rescue, safety training

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro —The Department of Health (DOH) in the Mimaropa (Oriental Mindoro,Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) region, in partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard – Palawan District recently completed its eighth water search and rescue (Wasar) training session for 43 volunteers and trainees in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

The participants, 39 men and three women, are swimmers, surfers and divers from Puerto Princesa City.

A good number of the training participants are from Barangay Bancungan, where a drowning case weas reported in Nagtabon Beach last March.

“If there was a well- trained water rescue personnel in the area, the incident could have been avoided. This is the reason why we need to prepare and teach all water personnel on water search and rescue for them to be able to prevent water accidents such as drowning,” DOH Regional Director Dr. Eduardo C. Janairo said.

According to Janairo, the regional office conducted a survey in areas where there are Wasar - trained personnel and found out that the said communities have no cases of drowning.

“Proper knowledge and the ability to provide immediate emergency response must be properly taught for them to have a better perception on how to manage a possible victim prior to and upon arrival of the health response team,” Janairo emphasized.

Under the ‘Health in Tourism Program’ which was implemented on March 24, 2015, DOH-Mimaropa trained a total of 205 Wasar water rescue personnel and the first 28 certified lifeguards in the province of Palawan.

“The objective is to ensure safety of the public who frequents resorts and beaches,” Janairo said.

Janairo also reminded the trainees to continue undergoing healthy lifestyle practices by maintaining strong physique and refraining from smoking and drinking alcoholic drinks which can affect the perception and awareness while on duty.