Lifeguard wants respect for water safety personnel

Two drowning incidents at the start of the year - the death of a six-year-old at the Caymanas River and the death of two siblings at Hellshire Beach - have renewed concern about gaps in water safety and rescue preparedness.

In the Hellshire incident, the body of a policeman who tried to save the siblings has still not been found. Both incidents have reignited questions about how equipped communities are to respond to water emergencies, particularly in areas outside formally monitored beaches. Speaking with THE STAR, lifeguard and swimming coach Jevaughn Bennett, who has worked for several years in water rescue and training, said drowning incidents involving children remain alarmingly frequent.

"If you look at the data when it comes to drowning, it's a lot when it comes on to kids," Bennett said. "From one to eight years old, there are many cases."

Bennett said a major challenge is that the importance of lifeguards and water safety personnel is often underestimated.

"Based on my observation over the years, the trade doesn't get much respect. People don't see the importance of it until something happens," he said. Bennett also noted that rivers, frequently used by families, remain largely unmonitored.

"When it comes to public recreational rivers, there are no lifeguards present, and we don't have competent persons who can even do a rescue if needed," he said. He explained that Jamaica currently has no structured system for monitoring or staffing recreational rivers, despite their widespread use, particularly during holidays and school breaks. The absence of trained personnel, he said, increases risk when emergencies occur.

Bennett stressed that basic swimming and water-awareness skills can significantly reduce drowning deaths, even if only one person in a group is trained.

"Once you have some understanding of water, there are ways to assist someone without going into the water," he said. He noted that trained responders are taught to use alternative rescue methods, such as flotation devices, ropes, sticks, or even bamboo, but said these techniques are largely unknown to the public. Bennett noted that there are different types of waters.

"Some beaches may look good for swimming, but they have strong undercurrents. If you're not knowledgeable about the area, you can quickly find yourself up against challenges getting back to shore," he said.

Bennett also renewed calls for swimming to be made mandatory in Jamaica, noting that fear of water often begins in childhood and "if it stays with us, it becomes dangerous".

"It doesn't matter your age , once you're capable and mobile, learning how to swim should be mandatory," he said.

While acknowledging that warning signs are often ignored, Bennett said they still play an important role in preventing drowning.

"Jamaicans are very disobedient. You will see a 'No trespassing' sign and they trespass and go anyway, or there is a 'No swimming' sign and they still go. But having it up can help, because not everyone is like that."