KOLKATA: Kolkata Police has charted an 11-point standard operating procedure for safer rowing activities at Rabindra Sarobar and demanded its immediate implementation before resuming rowing that are under suspension since death of two young rowers — Pushan Sadhukhan (14) and Souryadeep Chatterjee — at the lake 10 days ago.
The SOP highlights the need of adequate emergency drill for trainees as well as the cox, the person in charge of a rowing boat. It states that rowing clubs should organise minimum competency tests of trainees to ensure they can swim in light clothing, tread water, stay under water and retrieve an object from adequate depth as per international norms.
The cops also asked club authorities to keep a water ambulance at a strategic place in the water to provide instant medical support and suggested it should have life saving drugs, first-aid kits and a doctor and paramedic trained in CPR and other life saving techniques on board.
It also stressed on the need for an adequate number of rescue boats and certified life-guards at strategic locations. It also mentioned deployment of back-up rescue teams with experienced rowers and ‘maajhis’ during rowing practice.
“A rescue boat should have a floatation device for each person, rescue device like a rescue tube, shepherd’s hook or a 12 feet cane stick, a graphical anchor, at least one oar or paddle, rope to pull another boat, battery operated lights, communication device and first-aid kits along with Ambu bag and portable oxygen cylinder. Each boat must have at least one certified open water lifeguard and a qualified boat operator,” said the official.
The cops also asked clubs to formulate a parental advisory committee and sought the safety officer and club authorities to meet the panel on a regular basis. The SOP also highlighted the need to display phone numbers of KMDA/KIT, local police stations, nearest ambulance services, Lalbazar control room, disaster management group and Met department at rowing bays.
