Last month, twenty eight new volunteers joined the Emergency Response and Rescue Corps (ERRC) of Gozo, most of whom are in the process of receiving specialised training to join the organsation's Water Rescue Unit.

The ERRC said that its Water Rescue unit has been providing an outstanding service since it initiated in 2011 and provides water rescue service at two local beaches; Ramla Bay in Gozo and Blue Lagoon Bay in Comino.

The service was then extended to Marsalforn Bay in Gozo. Last year the Water Rescue unit also provided service at two other beaches, in Santa Marija Bay in Comino and Hondoq ir-Rummien Bay in Gozo.

The unit has several water rescue personnel that are trained in professional lifeguarding. This includes rescues, hazard spotting, trauma and emergency care. This enables the rescuers to face and deal with real life and challenging emergencies, the ERRC said.

Last summer, the unit intervened in 2523 cases, including the assistance of 463 swimmers who were in difficulty, while also intervening in other cases ranging from minor to major injuries on land, as well as multiple near drowning cases. People that sustained major trauma or medical emergencies were transported to the mainland using our hydro ambulances.

The Unit said that the the two hydro ambulances, stationed at the Blue Lagoon and Marsalforn Bay are a huge asset. Last summer alone the hydro ambulances were involved in assisting divers and also transporting patients.

"A typical case was that of a sudden cardiac arrest involving a swimmer, whose attempts at rescue and CPR were successful. Moreover, the unit is often called to assist the Civil Protection Department, Malta Police Force and the Armed Forces of Malta in certain rescues where the intervention of the hydro ambulances is of utmost importance."

The ERRC said that the helping of others is rewarding both personally for the rescuers, and to the organisation itself, "even more so when assisted swimmers contact us after their experience and express their immense gratitude."

The ERRC stated that it has always provided the best training to its volunteers, which is conducted locally or abroad via exchanges with other established organisations.

Besides the local arena, the ERRC said that it has opened its doors to international deployment, the latest two, being volunteers in the Aegean Sea to rescue migrants.

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