On Pentrez beach, in Saint-Nic (Finistère), between the Crozon peninsula and the land of Châteaulin, Axelle, Glen, Johanne and Alizée take turns with binoculars, whistles around their necks, and scan the area of swimming carefully. Rescue boards, walkie-talkies, bicycles, complete nautical equipment (wetsuits, flippers, masks, etc.) and even a defibrillator: the first-aid post overlooking the superb bay of Douarnenez has everything you need for a rapid intervention.
Only this year, Finistère, yet the most maritime department in France with its 2000 km of coastline, is experiencing an unprecedented shortage of lifeguards. A shame, at a time when several deaths are already to be deplored in the region, and that the prefect calls for vigilance regarding swimming.
“Why not help with training”
Three posts (Treustel in Combrit, Sainte-Anne in Saint-Pol-de-Léon and the Grands Sables in Clohars-Carnoët) of the 30 installed on beaches that are nevertheless important to monitor had to remain closed. “In April, there were even ten of us, deplores Marguerite Lamour, president of the board of directors of Sdis 29. We are working on solutions and getting closer to the municipalities to overcome this problem. The National Society for Rescue at Sea (SNSM) also came as reinforcements.
The cause of this shortage? “There are several,” continues Marguerite Lamour. We have fewer and fewer candidates for this position, no doubt because of the remuneration, which is less attractive than on private campsites, for example. Degrees also have a cost (BNSSA, PSE1 and PSE2 are mandatory). And our candidates were more concentrated in the south of the department. Not easy to get around and stay on the north coast. »
With the CA of Sdis, she is already beginning to think about possible solutions for next year and asks: “Why not help with training, to begin with? »