The Beaches Department of Torrevieja Town Hall conducted a lifesaving and rescue drill on Los Locos beach last Friday, 14th August. The exercise aimed to evaluate the response capacity of the municipal service during a potential drowning scenario involving cardiorespiratory arrest.
The drill served to test coordination among various professionals, verify established protocols, and measure the time needed to rescue, treat, and transfer a victim in such an emergency. Carried out during peak season, the operation replicated realistic conditions as closely as possible. Resources deployed included a jet ski, a coordination vehicle, a Basic Life Support (SVB) ambulance, an emergency response backpack, oxygen therapy equipment, a defibrillator, a stretcher, and a spinal board.
The operation began at 11:35 am when a lifeguard started approaching the person in the water. The jet ski was dispatched at 11:37 am, and within one minute, both the lifeguard and the rescue craft reached the victim. The casualty was brought safely to the shore by 11:39:50 am.
Upon reaching land, lifeguards immediately initiated basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administering oxygen therapy and using a defibrillator while awaiting medical personnel. The casualty was then immobilised and placed on a spinal board and stretcher. The ambulance, alerted at the start of the exercise, arrived at the beach at 11:43 am. Medical staff took over treatment before commencing a simulated transfer to the hospital at 11:46 am.
