California Lifeguards Conducted Training Course In Bahia Asuncion, Baja California, Mexico

SAN DIEGO - Oct. 28, 2013 - PRLog -- Founded in 2008, ISLA exists to advance professional lifesaving development to areas in need around the globe. Comprised entirely of volunteers; the organization provides training, medical supplies, disaster relief, and emergency personnel to communities in need around the world.

This will mark the 24^rd year that some of the world’s best lifeguards volunteer to share ocean rescue knowledge and techniques with members of coastal communities in Baja California.

Four lifeguard programs have been established by ISLA’s Aaron Quintanar in Baja California - Tijuana, Ensenada, Punta Abreojos, and Todos Santos.  This year, the 15 ISLA and Southern California lifeguards offered the training in Bahia Asuncion from October 8 - October 14, 2013.

Project Partners for the trip included; ISLA, the community of Bahia Asuncion; Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve;  California Seagrant; Surf Diva Surf School; Quiksilver; and participating lifeguard volunteers and their respective lifeguard agencies.

The lifeguard training program annually trains and re-certifies core groups of local (volunteer and professional) lifeguards.  These groups have performed thousands of rescues and preventative actions since 1989.  Many rescues performed by these lifeguards have literally made the difference between life and death.  The Baja Junior Lifeguard program annually works with over 60 school-age children from outlying coastal communities and neighboring ranches in Baja.

California lifeguards just completed another season protecting millions of beach visitors in California, executing thousands of rescues, and providing tens-of-thousands first response services.  In many parts of the world, this important safety service (lifeguarding) is lacking or non-existent.

According to a 2010 report from the World Health Organization drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide, accounting for approximately 388,000 deaths per year. ISLA is working with coastal communities throughout the world to address this very serious global issue.

To learn more about ISLA, please visit the website at http://www.islasurf.org or visit our Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/ISLAsurf.