Fisherfolk from Kerala during a simulated rescue operation at a training session at the National Institute of Aquatic Sports in Goa. | Photo credit: SR Praveen
In 2018, when Kerala faced unprecedented floods, NP Sanal was among the fishermen who forgot their own safety concerns and waded into flood waters in Kozhikode district to rescue stranded families. Eight years later, he is part of a group of 34 fishermen who are about to complete their training in sea rescue at the National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS) in Goa.
Completion of their training later this month will also mark the culmination of a project initiated by the Kerala government after the 2018 floods to train 900 fisheries workers from across the state in rescue operations during natural calamities.
“Being able to save a life is a blessing. It was after we joined the rescue efforts during the 2018 floods that the chief minister called us fisherfolk as the army of Kerala. The government also realized that we play a crucial role in natural calamities. This training gives us a systematic understanding of how to go about rescuing victims, especially in the Carindanzalea beach accidents.” behind the NIWS campus.
Far out at sea, two “victims” are close to drowning. Two lifeguards head towards them with surfboards crashing into the waves. Once close to their victims, they effortlessly flip their boards to place them on the surface and then navigate the board back to shore. They are joined by other rescuers on shore to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid to the victims before rushing them to an ambulance. False rescues continue as a cycle through the day.
The Kerala Fisheries Department is funding the initiative with an amount of ₹50,000 spent on each trainee who receives a daily stipend of ₹700. Trainees were selected from the fishing community in several stages, with the minimum qualification being the ability to swim 100m in 3 minutes. The current batch is 24.
Navy veteran N. Murugesan, chief instructor, shares several stories of trainees from previous batches participating in rescue operations in their localities, from Kasaragod native Babiš who saved four persons in a boat accident to another youth who saved a girl who fell into a river from a bridge in Alappuzha. He says there are now 900 well-trained paramedics across Kerala who can make the difference between life and death in crisis situations.
Safe rescue
“One of the main problems in rescue is that many don’t know the proper techniques, which can lead to spinal injuries or dislocated bones during the rescue. With proper training, we can ensure that the rescue is done safely,” he says.
Some of the trainees also expect to secure employment in the adventure and water sports industries. Vijith Lal, 38, from Kozhikode hopes that training in boating could come in handy in the speedboat tourism industry.
Ranjeet Singh, manager (training) at NIWS, says the institute is ready to train more batches from Kerala if the government plans to continue the programme.
“This training program is a result of the Kerala government’s vision. We will request the government to send more people so that every district has a substantial number of rescuers who can be a reliable force during calamities,” says Mr. Singh.
(The writer was in Goa at the invitation of the Press Information Bureau)
Published – 25 Feb 2026 20:49 IST
