HANAPEPE — While the first week of June is observed as Rip Current Awareness Week, on Kauai, beach safety is observed every day. Initiated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the observance is an opportunity to learn how to avoid
HANAPEPE — While the first week of June is observed as Rip Current Awareness Week, on Kauai, beach safety is observed every day.
Initiated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the observance is an opportunity to learn how to avoid rip currents, respect the power of the ocean, and stay safe during the summer.
Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. issued an announcement Tuesday to representatives of the Kauai Ocean Safety Bureau, the Kauai Fire Department, and the Kauai Junior Lifeguard program, commemorating June 2 through 9 as National Beach Safety and Rip Current Awareness Week.
Jim Jung, a longtime advocate of marine safety and vice president of the Kauai Lifeguard Association, spoke to Kauai Junior Lifeguards Tuesday. The teenagers are required to learn about rip currents and other water hazards and are encouraged to teach others about these potential dangers.
“They spread what they’ve learned, and thus become force multipliers,” Jung said.
The free Junior Lifeguard program started Monday at the Salt Pond Beach Park, which in addition to youth between 13 and 17 years old, added a Keiki Junior Lifeguard program, one of three offered this year, and all being sold out.
During the week-long program, which meets from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., participants get hands-on training in drug awareness, rescue skills, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, first aid, beach and ocean awareness along with teamwork and problem solving.
Randy Ortiz, one of the lifeguard instructors, said there is room for students (ages 13 to 17) at the Lydgate site, which will meet from June 17 through 21.
He encouraged interested people to register by getting forms from any of the lifeguard towers, or by calling 241-4984 or 241-4168. The program currently holds nine consecutive state titles.
In addition, Jung spoke Monday to the Junior Leader Development program for the Mokihana Aquatics Learn to Swim program, another key facet to ocean safety, according to Jung.
Jung said he will also be participating in the Kids Summer Fest hosted by Wilcox Health Saturday at Smith’s Tropical Paradise from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
“I’ve got a new game I created, just for the kids.”
He added that he’ll join Jean Souza, the Kauai program coordinator with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, when she hosts a table during the North Shore Fishing Tournament scheduled for later in June.
“We have a new belt-able, wearable life jacket which is perfect for fishermen,” Jung said. “I should have some at that event because it’s for both angler on boats or on shoreline.”
The aquatic environment of the island, attracting millions of people to its beaches annually, poses dangers, but can be effectively managed through public awareness and the vigilance of professional lifeguards, the proclamation states.
The Kauai Ocean Safety Bureau, for reasons of public safety, issues public safety announcements incorporating reminders of the hazards associated with the aquatic environment through distribution of beach safety brochures to hotels, airing of an ocean safety awareness video at the Lihue Airport baggage claim areas and on Hawaiian Airlines flights.
Objectives of the Ocean Safety Bureau include efforts to:
• Decrease drowning and water-related injuries through aggressive and innovating ocean safety measures;
• Promote Kauai’s guarded beaches as safe visitor destinations and safe recreational areas for residents;
• And work in collaboration with hotels, nonprofit entities and schools to promote prevention awareness in water safety through the Junior Lifeguard and Ocean Safety Awareness programs.
Additionally, the Ocean Safety Bureau provides first aid and rescue services for the general public.
Combined with the Kauai Lifeguard Association, the Rotary Clubs of Kauai, and the Zonta Clubs, the Ocean Safety Bureau has raised funds to provide 140 rescue tubes at beaches along the coast in an effort to assist swimmers in potentially dangerous situations.
Carvalho said residents and visitors must be cognizant and not let down their guard while in the water, offering suggestions of never swimming alone, always swim near a lifeguard, never drink alcohol before swimming, respect the power of the surf and learn to swim.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
