Torrevieja’s Beach Department has carried out a drowning rescue exercise at Los Locos Beach to assess the municipal lifeguard service’s response to an emergency involving cardiac arrest. The drill took place on 14 August, during the high season, to recreate conditions as close as possible to a real incident.

The operation involved a jet ski, a coordination vehicle and a basic life support ambulance, alongside oxygen equipment, a defibrillator, a stretcher and a spinal board. The lifeguard began approaching the simulated casualty at 11:35, and the rescue craft reached the area at 11:38. The casualty reached the shore at 11:39:50, when rescuers began cardiopulmonary resuscitation, oxygen therapy and defibrillation.

The casualty was then immobilised and taken to the ambulance. The vehicle arrived at 11:43, and simulated transport to hospital began at 11:46. The exercise ended at 11:48, after 13 minutes and 23 seconds. The evaluation described the intervention as good, praised the response times and raised no objections during any stage. Beaches Councillor Antonio Vidal said similar exercises should continue during the busiest months to ensure a rapid, co-ordinated and effective response.