Beach lifesaving. How to face change amid staff shortages and new regulations. The 'Io salvo' project

Recent amendments to lifesaving regulations have introduced new organisational and operational provisions for beach concession operators, while the growing difficulty in recruiting lifeguards continues to represent one of the sector's main critical issues. Alongside this scenario, innovative new experiences are emerging, such as the 'Io Salvo' project, which aims to train and integrate incarcerated individuals into the workforce as lifeguards, providing a concrete response to staff shortages and an important opportunity for social reintegration. The conference will analyse the main developments introduced by Ministerial Decree 85/2024 and the subsequent implementing clarifications, examining the obligations for beach establishments, the organisation of lifesaving services, and the prospects offered by collective plans. Ample space will also be dedicated to the causes of the chronic shortage of lifeguards, to possible solutions for ensuring beach safety, and to the experience of the 'Io Salvo' project, which has already been launched with tangible results in the Salento area.