The Estrie region has difficulty recruiting lifeguards

Photo archives / Agence QMI

Emmanuelle Corriveau

Tuesday, 11 July 2017 17:39

UPDATE
Tuesday, 11 July 2017 17:39

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The Estrie region is experiencing this year a significant decline in the number of lifeguards so that nearly fifty jobs are still being filled.

The recruitment of lifeguards for certain bodies of water would be more difficult than in recent years, particularly for campgrounds, resorts, as well as some outdoor swimming pools of apartment buildings.

A situation which could be explained by the short period of employment, and salaries that are not high enough according to Raynald Hawkins, the lifesaving Society of Quebec.

“The rescuers are for the majority of students could begin to work well-often in mid-April and returning to school at the end of the month of August. The heat is often not at the rendezvous before the month of June, which leaves very little time to work and earn money,” he said.

The presence, in the eastern Townships of two water parks in the major also has an impact on recruitment difficulties. “These are jobs very challenging for the students, then there are obvious impacts on campsites and hotels in the area that are looking to fill jobs of lifeguards national,” said Audrey Pinsonneault-Attic of the body, Aqua-Aid.

The patent of national lifeguard service often required

In many municipalities, water parks and camping grounds require that the lifeguards at their job and have received their patent of a national lifeguard. This certification is recognized across Canada more than 40 hours of training.

However, it is not required for all types of body of water.

“Some pools, particularly in the campgrounds can be monitored by lifeguards who have their bronze medallion and bronze cross,” said Raynald Hawkin.

27 drownings recorded in Quebec this summer

As of today’s date, 27 deaths have occurred in the province since the beginning of the summer, four of which on the territory of the eastern Townships.