HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
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during the years 1994, 1995 and 1996 are 90, 92 and 120 cases respectively. "Only one drowning case was recorded at Kowloon Park Swimming Pool in 1996.
The number of accident cases at swimming pools during the years 1994, 1995 and 1996 are 172, 193 and 323 respectively. The number of accident cases at beaches during the years 1994, 1995 and 1996 are 58, 48 and 97 respectively. There was no record of fatal accident case during the past 3 years.
The second part of the question asks about the remedial measures that have been adopted by the Department in the light of these cases.
With a view to reducing the number of drowning cases at swimming pools and beaches, the Department has given instructions to all lifeguards to be on the alert at all times while they are on duty. Besides, all swimming areas should be closely monitored by lifeguards and carry out immediate rescue actions when required. In addition, lifeguards are required to undergo lifesaving and first aid training from time to time in order to maintain their readiness for rescue operations at a very high level. During peak swimming seasons (June to August), the Department recruits additional temporary and honorary lifeguards at swimming pools and beaches to augment the lifeguard service and to ensure that sufficient service is maintained at all swimming venues. Furthermore, to arouse the public's awareness of water safety, the Department has been organizing Water Safety Campaign and activities every year. These include the Water Safety Poster Design competition, Water Safety Slogan competitions, visits by the Water Safety Ambassador to swimming pools and beaches in July and August to publicize water safety messages, and to broadcast water safety on radio and short video shown on television.
MR. CHAN CHOI-HI (in Cantonese):—It can be seen from the statistics shown on the reply document that the number of injury cases at swimming pools and beaches is rising, so is the number of rescue cases at beaches. About the remedial measures to instruct lifeguards to keep watch over the situation at the pools directly from any position, I consider them to be their routine duty. I wonder whether Members have ever been to the swimming pools run by the Council. As the lifeguards are wearing sunglasses, very often we are not sure whether they are in fact asleep. Although they are ideally positioned, it is not known whether they are keeping watch over the situation at the pools at all. This is the first point. May I ask the Chairman of the Select Committee to go to the swimming pools with me to have a look as to what they are actually doing? I have received some complaints saying that some lifeguards are frolicking, eating their lunch boxes and taking naps with their legs apart. Are we in fact aware of the above situations?
The second point is that I am entirely not satisfied with these sorts of remedial measures. Does the Department have any remedial measures that are more specific?
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