Lifeguards are not babysitters, says CEO

Baywatch made it look sexy but in reality, the role of a lifeguard is far more pedestrian, if no less essential: In between saving 413 swimmers last month, lifeguards reunited 353 lost children with parents.

The figures have prompted the CEO of Irish Water Safety, John Leech, to urge parents not to treat lifeguards as child minders.

“Please take heed of advice given by the lifeguards and supervise your children, as lifeguards are not baby sitters,” Mr Leech said yesterday.