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For beaches, a different manning scale is employed with one lifeguard for each lookout post, one lifeguard to patrol not more than 160m of beach, complemented by one lifeguard per catamaran or 3 lifeguards per rescue boat, where provided. The number of lifeguards provided at each beach varies depending on the size of the beach and the number of lifesaving facilities available. The smallest number provided is 3 at Hairpin Beach with the largest being 17 at Shek O Beach. All lifeguards employed at beaches or swimming pools are required to have a basic Bronze Medallion Lifesaving qualification.
In order to ensure that adequate numbers of lifeguards are provided, the Department chairs a committee comprising representatives from the Royal Lifesaving Society (Hong Kong Branch), Auxiliary Medical Service and the Medical and Health Department who review lifesaving provisions at the start and finish of each swimming season. This Committee also determines the number of temporary lifeguards required for each beach and pool complex.
Swimming pool complexes currently have their core lifeguard teams supplemented by 4 temporary lifeguards per shift; Beaches have from 2 (South Bay) to 6 (Deep Water Bay) per shift. Currently all swimming pools and beaches have a full complement of core and temporary lifeguards. Honorary lifeguards are provided through lifeguard clubs and are considered to provide a trained reserve to assist regular lifeguards. There are no fixed requirements for these. They are generally on duty at periods of peak use such as at weekends or on bank holidays.
With regard to the employment of temporary and honorary lifeguards, this practice began more than 10 years ago. Over the years since it has proved to be very successful. Entry qualifications for temporary lifeguards are the same as for permanent lifeguards i.e. the Bronze Medallion Certificate issued by the Royal Lifesaving Society. In addition to having this qualification, temporary lifeguards are required to pass a skill test before they are considered eligible for employment. The same level of qualification is required for honorary lifeguards provided by the Hong Kong Lifeguard Club and the Auxiliary Medical Services.
The Urban Council has not experienced difficulty in employing temporary lifeguards during the past two years.
Overall the adequacy of our lifeguard service is well demonstrated by the facts that in 1986, there were 406 rescues with only 2 drownings and in 1987 there were 417 rescues and no drownings. This is a very good record bearing in mind the fact that attendance at beaches and swimming pools is estimated to be nearly 14 million visits per year. The Department is satisfied with the service provided by lifeguards at Council managed swimming pools and beaches, and that the current manning scales for temporary and permanent lifeguards are appropriate.
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The provision of lifesaving services is, of course, intended to enhance the safety of UC managed pools and beaches. It is important to bear in mind, however, that swimming is an inherently dangerous pastime. I would urge members of the public who frequent beaches and swimming pools to learn to swim properly, preferably with a trained instructor through programmes such as the Urban Council Learn to Swim courses.
Lifeguards on duty at public beaches or swimming pools are there to help in the event of emergency but they cannot provide an absolute guarantee of safety. All swimmers, but most particularly those responsible for young children, should take care when swimming.
(Mr. CHAN Kwok-ming arrived at 3.00 p.m.)
MR. JOSEPH Y. S. CHAN (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, do we have a stipulated ratio between permanent lifeguards and temporary lifeguards in our swimming pools and beaches? If there are such stipulations, are they in line with international standards?
MR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, our ratio is definitely in line with international standards. As I have said, at the start of the swimming season every year, a committee chaired by the USD comprises members from the Royal Lifesaving Society, the Auxiliary Medical Service and the Medical and Health Department. So I am sure that the international standards are met.
MR. MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask a follow-up question. Whilst we have to ensure safety for swimmers, we will also have to consider the seasonal nature of the swimming activity in order to save manpower, hence we can't recruit more permanent lifeguards. It is heard that presently some lifeguard associations have made some public statements saying that our present ratio concerning permanent lifeguards is not enough. They claimed that we should encourage more people to become permanent lifeguards before we consider employing temporary or honorary lifeguards. I wonder whether the Chairman can make any reasonable response to this kind of criticism?
MR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, as I have mentioned, after considering the situation and the establishment of the Department, I think the ratio of permanent lifeguards is adequate during busy hours. We have adequate honorary and temporary lifeguards to supplement the service. If it is still considered inadequate, I am sure every year the Committee chaired by the USD will consider the situation carefully.
MR. JOSEPH Y. S. CHAN (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, do we have any information to ascertain the difference in the nature of work between permanent and temporary lifeguards? Are the sense of responsibility, experience, dedication
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