Telangana's Boat Crews Gain Vital Life-Saving Skills for Safer Waters

In a crucial move to bolster tourist safety, 32 boat operators and support staff from across Telangana's water tourism hubs recently completed intensive Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training at Hyderabad iconic Hussain Sagar Lake. This three-hour, hands-on program, conducted aboard the stationary boat 'Khair-Un-Nissa', equips these frontline personnel with vital life-saving skills, turning every boat ride into a potentially safer experience for thousands of visitors. This initiative isn't a standalone effort; it's a direct response to a statewide mandate for enhanced safety in water tourism, especially following a recent cruise tragedy in Madhya Pradesh. The Telangana Tourism Development Corporation (TGTDC) issued comprehensive directives on May 1, 2026, making unit managers accountable for stringent safety protocols, including mandatory first aid kits and staff trained in Basic Life Support (BLS). Organized by Lodge Keys No. 297 in partnership with GVK Green Health Services and with the support of the Telangana Tourism Department, this training is part of the larger '1,000 CPR Ambassadors' initiative, recognizing boat operators as critical first responders in aquatic emergencies. As Telangana ambitiously plans to expand its water tourism to 12 new locations and aims for significant investment in the sector, as highlighted by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy at the recent Telangana Tourism Conclave, having a cadre of life-saving trained personnel becomes paramount. This ongoing commitment to emergency preparedness is set to not only enhance the safety of existing popular spots like Hussain Sagar but also instill greater confidence among tourists, supporting the state's broader vision for a thriving and secure tourism ecosystem. The program aims to reach 1,000 CPR ambassadors, with 818 already trained, pushing closer to this vital goal.