OSCE concludes first EU-funded training course on water rescue methods for Tajik rescuers in Dushanbe

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe completed two and a half -week training course on “Rescue on Water” for representatives of Tajikistan’s Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence (Committee) in Dushanbe on 7 July 2021.

The course aimed to improve skills and capacities of rescuers using practical exercises in different situations, which will enhance their conduct during complex rescue operations in difficult field conditions all over Tajikistan.

During the training course, another group of 16 rescuers from Dushanbe (in addition to the 98 rescuers trained previously) practiced skills in diving to a depth of more than four meters and reaching the river bottom, jumping into the water from a height of up to three meters and assisting a drowning person as well as towing a drowning person while swimming. Students also practiced exercises such as providing first aid to victims, assistance to a working diver and disassembly, assembly, repair and troubleshooting of diving equipment.

The entire course was conducted interactively and local rescuers practiced various methods of diving and rescue of victims on water. The training enhanced the rescuers’ knowledge and skills, allowing them to act, respond and immediately rescue drowning people during an emergency. In addition, medical safety requirements for rescuers, occupational diseases and other aspects were also broadly presented to training participants.

Theoretical sessions were held in the conference hall of the Specialized Rescue Services Department of the Committee and practical courses were conducted in water areas along Dushanbe city and nearby Varzob District. 

Classes were delivered by representatives of the Committee and the OSCE.

Lieutenant General Rustam Nazarzoda, Chairperson of Tajikistan’s Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence thanked the EU Delegation to Tajikistan for financing of trainings and ongoing project and the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe for coordination, close co-operation and implementation of the project. “Trainings for rescuers are successfully ongoing since last year in Dushanbe and on regional levels and they positively influence the rescuers’ daily activities. Unfortunately, currently we cannot train our divers-rescuers abroad. Therefore, we plan to create a center for retraining of divers-rescuers. I hope we will continue cooperation with the EU Delegation and the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe and other international organizations in this area.”

“Rescue on water is an important and difficult area and usually specific technical equipment is needed for conducting such course as this training is about saving of people’s lives,” said Valeriu Chiveri, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe. “The project is ongoing since last year and a similar course is planned for the Sughd region soon.”

Khurshed Latifov, Trainer/Head of Diving Department of Tajikistan’s Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence said: “We refreshed our knowledge and improved our skills on diving, which is part of our daily rescuing activities.”

The event was conducted as part of the OSCE’s project on the “Stabilization of Tajikistan’s southern border region with Afghanistan” funded by the European Union’s Foreign Policy Instrument. The project aims to strengthen the capacity of the Committee’s response to natural disasters in border regions.