Levante Beach Rescue: Police, Lifeguards, and SAMU Stabilize Unconscious Swimmer

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At Levante beach in Benidorm, a dramatic rescue unfolded as a police officer on duty managed to revive a swimmer who had been pulled from the river water and left unconscious on the shore. The scene drew a crowd of beachgoers and onlookers, while lifeguard services and nearby facilities stayed engaged, ready to assist until the man could be stabilized and transported to a hospital for further care. The quick actions of the officer, combined with the coordinated response from the rescue team, underscored how critical timely intervention can be in water-related emergencies and how a calm, decisive approach can make the difference between life and a grim outcome.

What began as a routine day at the coast quickly turned urgent when a call went up for help at the Loix’s Corner area. Miriam Fuentes, a national police officer on duty, was spending time at the beach when she heard the distress signal. She moved into action and entered the water to assist, pulling a 62-year-old British man who was face-down and unconscious from the surf. The man’s skin appeared pale and his lips were tinged with blue, signaling a lack of oxygen and poor circulation. In the tense minutes that followed, volunteers and responders noticed the seriousness of his condition. The officer and bystanders together created a frame for help that relied on clear communication and a swift, focused sequence of life-saving measures. The atmosphere was tense but purposeful as the team prepared to implement essential first aid while awaiting arrival of formal emergency support.

With gravity mounting by the second, the responders initiated a structured first-aid protocol designed to maintain circulation and breathing. The officer administered chest compressions and rescue breaths as best as possible given the circumstances, while teammates prepared the equipment and called for additional medical support. The patient’s airway required careful management, and as water drained from his mouth, responders noted the beginnings of a response to the life-saving maneuvers. In such scenarios, maintaining the airway, ensuring adequate oxygenation, and preventing further injury are the priority concerns, and the team worked in near synchrony to deliver these critical actions until further help could join them on the scene. The swimmer’s condition showed signs of improvement as the froth and fluid in his airway decreased, indicating that air could circulate more freely and that circulation might be resuming. The moment called for composure and precision, and the responders stayed focused on placing the man in a stable position designed to minimize the risk of choking or aspiration should he regain consciousness.

Shortly after, a lifeboat from the beach arrived and continued the resuscitation efforts with dedicated focus. The crew administered additional rounds of CPR as needed and monitored the swimmer for changes in skin tone and responsiveness. The goal was to stabilize the patient and reestablish a viable circulation, which the team gradually achieved as the man’s skin tone began to normalize and signs of improved perfusion appeared. Once the initial stabilization was achieved, on-site officers coordinated with hospital teams to arrange safe transport. The collaboration between beach-based responders, city police, and medical personnel was essential to ensure a smooth handoff for definitive treatment at the hospital.

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