Cyprus to change beach lifeguard certification system: 33 towers remain unmanned

Cyprus plans to change its lifeguard certification system. As stated by Giorgos Konstantinou, general secretary of the OEKDY-SEK trade union, candidates’ knowledge and professional skills will now be assessed on the basis of the professional standard of the Cyprus Human Resource Development Authority (AnAD).

According to him, the new approach is intended to replace the current certification system linked to the Cyprus Lifeguard Federation.

The changes are being discussed against the backdrop of a serious shortage of beach staff. At present, 80 of the 113 lifeguard towers across Cyprus are staffed, while 33 remain unmanned.

Konstantinou attributes the problem primarily to seasonal employment. According to him, some lifeguards leave the profession because they cannot rely on work only for a limited period of the year followed by unemployment.

As a solution, he proposed creating more permanent jobs. Young lifeguards could begin working as seasonal employees and then be given the opportunity to move into permanent employment. In addition, the extension of the tourist season requires lifeguard services to operate for a longer period.

The trade union official also drew attention to lifeguards’ working hours. On most beaches, shifts begin at around 9:30 or 10:00 and end at 17:00, although in summer holidaymakers remain on the beaches considerably longer.

In his view, the length of shifts should be determined according to the number of visitors and the level of danger at each particular beach.

Konstantinou also noted that lifeguards deal not only with cases of drowning. They are required to provide assistance in cases of heart attacks, injuries, fractures and other emergencies. At the same time, some incidents on beaches do not receive public attention.

In addition to the staff shortage, equipment problems remain. According to Konstantinou, the necessary requirements have already been identified, and steps are being taken to address them jointly with the Ministry of the Interior.

The proposal to create a single Beach Safety Service, responsible for coordination, oversight and the overall management of safety issues, was also raised again.

Control over the operation of lifeguard services on the beaches is carried out by district administrations together with local authorities.