Puerto Vallarta continues to strengthen its emergency services as the government of Luis Munguía advances specialized high-risk rescue training for Civil Protection and Fire Department personnel. The Cliff and Rock Rescue Workshop, a three-day program for the Aquatic Rescue team, equipped lifeguards with skills to respond efficiently to complex emergencies.
The training was delivered by CISA, with sessions held both at departmental facilities and on municipal beaches. Highly qualified instructors led the exercises, including Dr. José Palacios Aguilar, an international authority on aquatic safety, and Esteban Zavalza of Canyons PV, who shared techniques applied in real-world situations.
Lifeguards and Civil Protection personnel engaged in demanding exercises that included vertical rescue simulations, precise operation of jet skis, sophisticated boat maneuvers, and a simulated victim extraction from a difficult cliff area utilizing a zip line system. These practical components directly enhanced the team’s ability to coordinate and execute rescues under pressure.
The government offered sincere thanks to CISA for their invaluable collaboration and praised Civil Protection Director Misael López for his unwavering commitment to professionalizing the entire agency. Training initiatives like these help ensure Puerto Vallarta’s emergency personnel are ready to protect residents and visitors whenever danger arises.
This latest workshop follows a pattern of dedication to excellence; for example, a lifeguard training event last month focused on refining technical skills, updating key rescue knowledge, and unifying emergency protocols for aquatic incidents.
The benefits were demonstrated Wednesday when lifeguards when the lifeguards put their new skills to the test. While on a routine patrol along Banderas Bay, near the Los Arcos de Mismaloya rock formation, the team observed two foreign nationals whose kayak had capsized after being struck by a moderate wave.
The kayakers were struggling to right their vessel and showed clear signs of exhaustion. The lifeguards instantly provided initial water rescue, performing a quick assessment of the individuals’ status, including their consciousness, verbal response, breathing, and ability to float with assistance. The kayak was then stabilized and repositioned for recovery, ensuring the safety of those involved.
Thanks to the prompt and professional intervention of the Aquatic Rescue team, a potential serious situation was successfully averted, showcasing the critical importance of specialized training for the safety of all who enjoy Puerto Vallarta’s stunning coastline.
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