By Nangamso Mabindla
12 November 2004

THE FESTIVE season is around the corner and holidaymakers will soon be heading to East London to enjoy the city's beaches.

This means the city's lifeguards will be kept on their toes - particularly on Christmas and New Year's Days.

But Buffalo City's lifeguards are prepared. Chief lifeguard, Duncan Boyd, one of 10 municipal lifeguards, says: "During this time we also ask lifeguard clubs around the city to assist us by sending more volunteers." Over busy holiday periods, he says, volunteers boost the regular lifeguard contingent.

Lifeguards will mainly focus on the more popular beaches - Eastern Beach on the Esplanade, Gonubie Beach, Kidds Beach and Lichies Bay.

On average, four lifeguards will be assigned to each beach. A roster will be drawn up, with the guards being dispatched to the different beaches, according to the numbers expected, Boyd explains.

For example, Eastern Beach will have more lifeguards on duty, especially on New Year's Day when some 400 000 people are expected to flock to the sand and sea.

According to Boyd, it is difficult to monitor the large numbers of people attracted to Eastern Beach so the lifeguards work closely with the local police to monitor the crowd.

Lifeguards are highly trained - undergoing courses in first aid; identifying people who need help; and learning how to read the beach and currents. They train on the beach and in the water, performing simulation exercises until they become second nature.

"You need to know what to do as soon as you have a situation. You also need to know the water's behaviour - there're a lot of things, but they're not difficult," says Boyd. "As soon as you learn all the skills, the job becomes easier and more enjoyable," he adds.

Lifeguards will have torpedo boards and other rescue equipment on hand.

Because it is difficult for an ambulance to get through the thousands expected on the Esplanade, Boyd says the City is looking at having a boat anchored close to the crowd. "If something happens, we can just take the person on board and rush them to Orient Beach where the ambulance will find it easier to move," he says.

He adds intoxicated holidaymakers are the biggest problem guards have to deal with during the festive period. "If we can monitor the use of alcohol, we will have a safe season without too many problems."