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THE Balearic Red Cross, the body largely responsible for beach safety during the summer, plans to increase the number of life guards by 30 percent this summer. Lifeguard training courses got underway yesterday as the Red Cross launched its search for 200 extra recruits.
The organisation's emergency and safety chief Victoria Avellà said yesterday that with the introduction of a new set of basic beach safety and protection norms earlier this year, all local councils are obliged to comply with the new regulations. This year, the Red Cross will be in charge of safety on 50 Balearic beaches, two more than last summer.
Safety on the remaining beaches will be taken care of by the corresponding local councils.
Already, a number of beaches in Capdepera, Minorca and Formentera have started the “bathing season” and have Red Cross lifeguards on patrol.
The Balearic-wide security campaign will start in earnest on June 1.
Yesterday a total of 60 volunteers took the Red Cross lifeguard exam which is part theory, first aid and physical.