Baywatch Operations at a Town Fiesta

As one of the Emergency Rescue Technicians of the city, we were requested to join the Baywatch Operations at the Town fiesta whereas Saint John the Baptist is the Patron. Traditionally, if you visit fiesta celebration like this, you will be required to bring extra clothes. Why? Boats will parade at the sea to thank God for all of the bountiful harvest, giving the town an abundant livelihood throughout the years. After the parade ends, and the boats have come ashore, it will signal the start of the yearly traditions.

People will gather at the side of the roads with their pale and dipper full of water, then they will be splashing water to all of the people passing by. Note, the excemptions will depend on them. If they will let you pass dry, you'll be thanking the heavens but if not, then you'll find it annoying. They wouldn't care if you're a student, an employee, or you are dressed up to go somewhere.

This is also the time where people flocks to the sea to swim, rain or shine, high tide or low tide. Also, that's why we are here! We'll be watching over them as they enjoy the day of their celebrations safely.

People of all ages, will come and have a swim, party at the cottages, and will lit charcoals to grill fishes and pork. They're not just from the nearby area but from other places within the city wanting to celebrate the fiesta with their acquaintaces in the town. You can name lots of possible incidents that can happen during this kind of day. We're not asking for it, but just looking forward to a safe and secured celelebration just like they're wishing for.

The sea is calm brought by the low tides and gloomy skies. Only a few people were swimming at this beach early in the morning. But when the parade started, many people have gathered at the shore to watch and eventually swam for a while, before they went home. Our team was assigned to oversee the customers swimming at this beach, especially the children. There are different teams from other Rescue Units of the city that was deployed in every beach resorts. Even the Rescue Teams of a famous Maritime school here in Bacolod have come to help with the operations.

Here I am with @elliezangnowhere, we're taking a shelter under the cottage because the gloomy skies started sprinkling. Before deployment, we already received our designated assignments and here, I am the First Aider of the day and Ellie is the swimmer. We put the spine board standing with the glowing orange life jacket in the sand to let people easily see that there is a team stationed here if ever they will be calling for help.

Tell us what are you looking at, Sir @huntersmoon? Is it the silver lining on every cloud or you're seeking answers in the air? Or maybe, you're just that hungry.

People were getting fewer at the afternoon as it rains. Later on, the team also pulled-out from the operation. Scene is safe, and there's no untoward incidents that has happened during our tour of duty.

Life jackets were taken off and hanged on the board to drip. Some members of the team went back swimming at their pleasure. As for me, I have gone home straight, so I could write a blog of what I have done today.