India's First Woman Lifeguard

India's First Woman Lifeguard


Meet Kerry Blewett, the first woman to patrol India's beaches.


The 22-year-old British citizen, a certified lifeguard, is part of a team of experts brought to Goa to train lifeguards.



Blewett, who was in Mumbai on Monday, has been assigned as a motivator
by Drishti Special Response, an agency appointed by the Goan government
to make beaches in the state safe for swimmers.


About two million tourists visit Goa every year. At present, 149 lifeguards patrol Goa's 106 km long coastline.


Blewett and her squad -- spearheaded by Australian expert Craig Carney -- are training 22 more lifeguards.



She has also been trying to persuade local women to become lifeguards




Crowd management is one of the biggest challenges faced by life-savers in India, she was quoted as saying by a daily.


Blewett is a lifeguard by the certified Royal Life Saving Society, UK.
RLSS is the governing body and leading provider of training and
education in lifesaving, life guarding, water safety and life support
skills in the UK.




Good news followed Blewett as she arrived in Mumbai to give handy tips to lifeguards patrolling the metropolis' beaches.


She has been selected for the final round to determine Britain's sprint
kayaking team for the London Olympics in 2012. If selected, she intends
to return to UK and train for the event.