Exactly thirteen minutes was the time it took for the rescue and lifeguard service of El Campello's beaches from the alert to the simulated victim being transported to the hospital. Yesterday, the northern part of Muchavista beach was the scene of a simulated sea accident, with a jet ski collision as the scenario.
At 11:36 AM, the area lifeguard alerted the central command while assisting the injured. The protocol was immediately activated, and a jet ski team with equipment for head trauma arrived quickly. Meanwhile, an ambulance with medical personnel was requested.
On the shore, a neck brace was placed on the injured person, and first aid was administered. At 11:45 AM, the ambulance arrived, medical staff stabilized the accident victim on a spinal board, and transferred them to the vehicle, which departed for the hospital at 11:49 AM.
The drill attracted the attention of swimmers, who cleared the area and even offered shade to the injured and medical staff with their beach umbrella. This is the second drill of the season, following one at Cala Lanuza, and the Beaches Department considers these exercises "important" for verifying the adequacy of protocols.
Neither the lifeguards nor the medical staff knew the drill's development. The young man playing the injured role, a member of the rescue team, was instructed by the coordinator to simulate being hit by a jet ski. According to Beaches technician Víctor López and rescue coordinator Miguel Níguez, "reaction times are vital for saving lives at sea".
The exercise was evaluated as "positive." Despite heavy traffic, the ambulance managed to get through by activating its sirens, and drivers acted correctly.
