Italy's Rimini beaches sees lifeguard shortage
Smiling, muscular and tanned — the bagnino, or lifeguard, was once the heartthrob of Italy's beaches. But those days are coming to an end as a shortage of new recruits takes its toll.
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00:00Daniel Giurgaia has landed his dream job as a lifeguard here on the seafront of Rimini.
00:07It's the 20-year-old's first season and he takes his job very seriously.
00:13He's spent the last few months training in the Adriatic for his license.
00:19You're the guy people rely on and are safe with.
00:24It's great.
00:27But rewarding as the job is, Italy is currently struggling to recruit enough lifeguards.
00:32Largely because this year the training duration was changed from 30 to 100 hours.
00:38The Italian Life Saving Federation has warned of a lifeguard shortage throughout Italy this summer,
00:43predicting a 10% shortfall, which Daniel says is alarming.
00:50Our work is a matter of life and death.
00:53Working by the sea involves a lot of responsibility and risk.
00:57You have to estimate distances, keep an eye on everyone, young, old, children.
01:02It's a tough job and many young people seem to be afraid of it.
01:08Because rescuing a drowning person isn't easy.
01:11Every move has to be right.
01:16Alberto Biagini, a third-generation lifeguard, knows this as well as anyone.
01:21He's been working on the beach in Rimini for 29 years.
01:25But pressure on first responders is increasing, he says, putting off the next generation.
01:32As a rescuer, you are legally responsible for the assistance you provide.
01:37Since it can quickly become a matter of life and death here by the sea,
01:41young lifeguards who have passed the test prefer to work at swimming pools rather than beaches.
01:49Alberto uses his experience to support his young colleagues in whatever way he can.
01:56Hey Daniel, could you pass me the rescue bag?
02:05Being a lifeguard is a mission.
02:08People always think you're just by the sea, lying in the sun, seeing lots of beautiful women.
02:14But that's not all there is to it.
02:18If you choose this job, you have a lot of responsibility.
02:23It's a big burden on your shoulders.
02:30Last summer, the lifeguards of Rimini saved 75 people from drowning.
02:40It's become harder to find new recruits.
02:43Students used to finance their education with summer jobs on the beach.
02:47But these days they have exams until late July and again in early September,
02:51so in August they have to study and can't work.
02:58Daniel works full time and seems very happy with his choice.
03:04Those who do this job know what they have to do, out here on land and in the water.
03:10I can only recommend this job.
03:13I highly recommend it.