HOW “THE COLLECTIVE RESCUE PLAN” WORKS:

What is a Collective Rescue Plan (PCS)?
The PCS is an agreement between beach clubs and the Municipal Administration which, with the approval of the Harbor Master’s Office, entrust the organization of the rescue service – through the adoption of the Collective Rescue Plan – to a single professional entity.

“THE COLLECTIVE RESCUE PLAN”
The Collective Rescue Plan of the Municipality of Castagneto Carducci covers a coastline of approximately 4 km, with 24 towers and 28 lifeguards, as well as 10 additional stations equipped with rescue rollers.
The Plan is also equipped with 5 semi-automatic defibrillators (AED), located at beach access in Seggio, Dune, Ondablu, Forte and Paradù.
At the Seggio, Dune, Ondablu, Shangri-Là and Forte 5 equipped armchairs (JOB) are available to allow disabled people to enter the water.

What are the benefits?

The beach club enrolling in the PCS becomes part of an organization designed specifically for the rescue of its guests; therefore, they no longer have to worry about safety at sea because they have entrusted an external entity to assume all responsibility. The beach club can devote its physical and human resources completely to its beach services and therefore to enhance full customer satisfaction.
The tourist can count on a team of professionals who work and exercise together throughout the year. Lifeguards on duty at the stations are connected via radio and may request the intervention of colleagues equipped with vehicles such as jet skis and quad bikes.

Why isn’t there a tower in front of every beach club?

The PCS must be understood in its overall logic, because the whole coast relating to the Municipality where a Collective Rescue Plan is in force is safeguarded equally, be it a free beach or a private beach. The coast is in fact divided into subzones according to different factors (dangerousness of the sea, influx of bathers among others.) so towers have been placed accordingly. Thus, lifeguards are responsible for the stretch of beach surrounding their position. The whole team is connected via radio, so that in the event of a dangerous situation, there is collaboration to solve the problem in a short and effective time period.

The Team of Lifeguards

A team of 28 licensed lifeguards is located on 24 rescue and assistance stations plus a support quad to be used in extraordinary events.

When talking about rescue, the Marina di Castagneto rescue service has been cited for some years, and more and more often, as a case history of effectiveness in numerous national conferences.

Much is due to the huge investments of economic and human resources, which make it a unique reality in Italy.

This rescue operation is successful because of its professional approach to the lifeguard’s activity. From the selection phase to the training necessary to develop the skills of the new recruited personnel to the standards of the most experienced members of the team. These operators are trained throughout the year, in the pool and especially at the sea, and can rely on economic facilities both in accessing structures such as swimming pools and gyms and also in purchasing technical equipment (wetsuits and accessories in general).

In addition, they hold continuous group exercises during the season to refine the use of techniques and teamwork.