Lifeguard Association Calls on Government for Support as Drowning Cases Rise
Red Dolphin Gambia Lifeguard Association © My Gambia
By Haddy Ceesay
The Red Dolphin Gambia Lifeguard Association has appealed to the Gambian government to provide urgent support and lifesaving equipment as drowning incidents continue to rise along the country’s coastline during the summer break.
With schools closed and many young people visiting beaches for recreation, lifeguards say they are increasingly overwhelmed and lacking the materials needed to carry out their job safely.
Speaking to Askanwi Media, Mr Abdoulie Joof, a member of the Red Dolphin Lifeguard Association, explained that while they are committed to protecting swimmers, the lack of rescue equipment puts both their lives and the lives of victims at risk.
“Sometimes we see someone drowning, but we can’t go deep because it is also dangerous for us. We don’t have the materials to help them. It is painful to watch someone lose their life while we stand helpless,” said Mr Joof.
According to Mr Joof, some young people ignore warnings from lifeguards and choose to swim in dangerous areas. “When we try to explain that the sea is not safe, they do not listen. They just walk away and go to another part of the beach. In the end we receive a call that someone is drowning, and when we arrive, it’s the same people we warned,” he added.
Red Dolphin Gambia Lifeguard Association © My Gambia
The association normally places red flags and signboards along the coastline to warn swimmers when conditions are dangerous, but Joof explains that it is often difficult to sensitise the public.
He urged parents to monitor their children closely and discourage them from swimming in the sea without supervision.
Mr Joof concluded that “this work requires time, energy, and patience. We are calling on the government and philanthropists to support us with lifesaving equipment so we can continue protecting people and save lives.”
About the Red Dolphin Lifeguard Association
The Red Dolphin Lifeguard Association is a community-based group operating along The Gambia’s coastline. Its volunteers patrol the beaches, provide safety advice to beachgoers and intervene during emergency situations to prevent drowning. Despite limited resources, the association remains the primary line of defence for many local communities during peak beach seasons.
The Gambian coastline, often referred to as the “Smiling Coast of Africa”, attracts large crowds during the holiday season. However, the lack of proper safety measures and rescue resources has made beach accidents a growing concern for local communities.
