LIFEGUARDING COMPETENCY OF BOAT STAFFS IN MARINE TOURISM ACTIVITIES IN SATUN PROVINCE

Abstract

The purposes of this article were to study the lifeguarding competency of boat staffs and to study their need to improve lifeguarding competency in marine tourism activities in Satun Province. The sample group consisted of 43 boat staffs in marine tourism  activities working at ports in Satun Province which were voluntarily selected. The research tools were Interview form about lifeguarding competency levels and the need to improve the lifeguarding competency in marine tourism activities with the IOC value of 0.89. The results showed that, most of the boat staffs in marine tourism activities in Satun Province has shown at moderate level their lifeguarding competency in various aspects as follows: 1) 60.5 percent were able to swim. 2) 76.6% were able to provide first aid 3) 72.1% were able to help a drowning person 4) 44.2% were able to inspect the mechanical system 5) 69.8% were able to use boat equipment and life-saving equipment 6) 67.4 percent had moderately knowledge about venomous animals 7) 60.5 percent were able to provide first aid in a venomous animal accident 8) 72.1% have knowledge of communication devices and rules of use 9) 67.4 percent were able to use correctly communication equipment on board 10) 62.8 percent have knowledge of the Thai Boat Act and other related laws. And the findings also found that 100% of boat staffs would like to have usual training to improve the lifeguarding competency in marine tourism activities and 97.7 percent of them will join the training program if organized.