How many people have to die or be at a serious risk on the beach? In Xlendi last summer an accident occurred with a lady and it is just thanks to a bystander on holiday that she survived. The man gave her the kiss of life and a diving school supplied the necessary oxygen. This lady was just very, very lucky but most are not.

It was not the only incident that occurred. It is about time that we in Gozo get some proper equipment or a trauma helicopter, lifeguards on the beaches and a working decompression chamber. It is not enough to put it there, it has to work. Most diving schools are so well equipped that people survive. It is not the first time they help out when accidents occur. I can tell you, there are a lot of occasions when divers or unknown people save lives. I remember the year when we had Italian lifeguards in Xlendi. Now when somebody gets a jellyfish sting, instead of going to a first aid post they run to the nearest restaurant for help. The medical service to the beaches is zero and that has to change quickly.

Gozo ambulances need proper equipment and oxygen to treat people who find themselves in difficulty while swimming and the decompression chamber needs to function properly. Nowadays there are so many people who dive without instructors. They rent equipment and do their own dives.

What in some cases is ok, in others could be dangerous. And at least have a first aid post on every beach to help out in cases which are not too serious. It is about time that people realise the risk they take when they go to the beach, especially in Gozo!

I cannot stress enough the importance of having professional people in Ramla, Xlendi, Marsalforn, Dwejra, Hondoq Bay and in Mgarr ix-Xini.

Ann H. van Breemen

Sannat