Just one response to lifeguard application call

The Cyprus lifesaving federation on Wednesday expressed its concerns of understaffing among its ranks after its latest call for applications for the summer months received just one response.

Limassol district administration head Marios Alexandrou told the Cyprus News Agency that applications for summer lifeguard posts closed on Wednesday with only one applicant.

He added that due to increased demand for lifeguards, the Limassol district administration has obtained special permission from the interior ministry to expand the eligibility criteria to accept candidates with one, two and three lifesaving medals once the catalogue of those with four is depleted.

Speaking on behalf of Limassol lifeguards, Pambos Panayides said that the fact only one person applied to be a lifeguard this summer is concerning as it means lifeguard towers will remain understaffed.

He said that at the moment, 55 lifeguards are employed where there should have been 84.

In addition, out of the 24 towers operating in Limassol, seven have to run on shifts, which only happens at one of them.