A member and Water Rescue Instructor of the Emergency Response and Rescue Corps of Gozo, Darren Xerri, has successfully completed a one-week course in Rescue Operations with Jet Skis which took place in Italy.
This course not only covered Jet Ski handling in Water Rescue Operations but also its maintenance and mechanical features. The training qualified Darren Xerri as a Jet Ski operator and Rescuer On-board.
Darren went through various water rescue simulations, some of which were conducted in fair weather conditions. These rescue simulations varied from basic water rescue scenarios to more advanced. The latter consisted in rescuing persons having spinal injuries, using emergency exit techniques on unconscious and non-breathing persons, which required additional basic life support once on shore and towing a deceased body. Some of the scenarios Mr Xerri worked alone, while others required teamwork with other rescuers.
This course was funded by the European Union Program Grundtvig, in collaboration with the National Life Saving Society of Genova – Rome Branch who hired the services of the Italian Red Cross – Gulianova Branch.