Indian Rescue Academy completes Australian Standards Lifeguard Training in Mumbai

Mumbai: Mumbai has over 500 public and private swimming pools in addition to beaches and lakes in its urban region. These locations are risks to public life if left unguarded and unattended by professionals. With a view to creating professional employment and addressing this erosion of precious lives, Indian Rescue Academy completed training of its first batch of lifeguards certified to international standards by Australian Lifesaving Academy at Prabodhan Thackeray Krida Sankul here in Mumbai. In A batch of 15 lifeguards were trained and certified as part of a city-wide initiative to increase safety in swimming pools across Mumbai prior to the next holidays and summer season. The certification ceremony was attended by Chief Guest Mr. Joel Adsett, Vice Consul, Australian Consulate-General in Mumbai.

“Australians love the water and our culture of water safety is something we take incredibly seriously. That’s why it’s fantastic to be able to share our knowledge and experience with Indian partners, creating a safer environment for swimmers right across India. During the COVID-19 lockdown we facilitated an orientation for 400 Maharashtra Maritime Board lifeguards in Mumbai. It’s now great to see the IRA completing training programs in a physical format, providing certification to even more Maharashtra lifeguards. I’m confident this is the beginning of a strong partnership, bringing Australian expertise to Indian waterways, making them safer for all swimmers.” said Mr Joel Adsett.

Indian Rescue Academy (IRA) is the largest private training organization in the Rescue & Lifesaving sector having trained 35,000+ personnel from the NDRF, SDRF’s, Fire Departments and Civil Defence. As part of their push to promote water safety, IRA have partnered with global experts Australian Lifesaving Academy to deliver world class training and certification with a focus on creating more lifeguards and first responders. Australian Lifesaving Academy is part of Surf Life Saving, New South Wales, which was founded in 1907 and has over 75,000 patrolling lifesavers and 500 full time employed lifeguards safeguarding water bodies in Australia.

“Our trainers have been trained by ALA as per International Standards and IRA is now delivering such programs nationwide wherein we have already issued 10,000 certificates to lifeguards and first aiders. Lifeguards trained and certified by us shall receive International equivalency of certification thereby assuring them of careers not only in India but also overseas. The program was recently initiated by our training partner, Prabodhan Thackeray Krida Sankul (PTKS).” said Mr Ankit Wagh, CEO of Indian Rescue Academy.

For further information you may contact:

Ankit Wagh

Chief Executive Officer, Indian Rescue Academy

ankit@indianrescueacademy.org ; +91 848 487 0080

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