Unfortunately, I often see articles or reports about people who drown, or nearly do so, in swimming pools. There has been a positive move in the right direction by manning the beaches with lifeguards, but it is still uncommon to have life guards around public pools or lidos.

I have questioned the authorities and they seem uninterested in enforcing some form of legal requirement on gyms, pools and lidos who leave guests and customers unattended. All it takes is a split second for someone to have heart trouble, and you have a potential fatality on your hands, that possibly could have been avoided.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Malta Red Cross for supporting our charity and providing the training courses and supporting the pool manning. Our staff are qualified both in first aid and water rescue. We have one of the largest and best equipped hydrotherapy pools in Malta and our services are provided free of charge to persons with a disability.

We man our pool every second of the 14-hour day we are open, even for one individual. The need in our pool is greater due to the nature of the health of our customers, however that is not an excuse for safety. Would the authorities please pull their socks up and enforce the presence of a lifeguard for any public pool?

Nathan Farrugia

BSc HS SRP MIM CEO

Razzett tal-Hbiberija

MARSASCALA