Patong lifeguards keep working hard

Patong Beach lifeguards rescued 24 people from high waves in August, including one unconscious and one exhausted. Both were taken to Patong Hospital for treatment.

The figures were confirmed in Patong Surf Life's monthly lifeguard report, published earlier this week, which details the assistance provided to tourists on both the day and night shifts.

As always, the report covers a wide range of incidents in which lifeguards provided first aid and other services to beachgoers, highlighting the vital role lifeguards play in the safety of tourists on the island's most popular beach.

In addition to rescues from rip currents, lifeguards also had to help people who had been swept over by the waves and were exhausted. Four people received first aid after being stung by marine animals, two sustained various injuries in the water, one was cut by a sharp object and required hospital treatment.

In other minor incidents, lifeguards rescued four people, and a "water toy" incident left 14 people injured, four of whom required hospital treatment.

The diverse nature of the assistance provided by lifeguards is highlighted: a lost child was returned to his parents, tourists' belongings were returned safely, and first aid was provided in a fight-related incident that required lifeguard intervention.

The report also noted Patong Lifeguard's important ongoing program of providing surf safety education and risk awareness to young children in three schools in the area.

A total of seven people were taken to hospital during the day. 44 incidents were classified as minor, six as moderate, and one as severe.

Lifeguards leave the beach every day at sunset, but many continue to help people on the beach at night through their “Patong Baywatch” team.

The Patong Baywatch initiative was started and continues to be funded by the Patong Development Foundation. The foundation itself was established by local businessman Preechavde “Prab” Kissin, owner of the Phisona Group of Companies and son of former Patong Mayor Piang Kissin.

In August, lifeguards on night patrol at Patong Beach took a drunken man to Patong Police Station, while two others who were under the influence of herbal substances were taken to Patong Hospital.

Also during the night, two people were caught in strong currents and treated in hospital, and two were involved in a traffic accident. In a less dangerous overnight incident, another tourist's belongings were returned safely.

A total of seven cases were hospitalized overnight, one classified as mild and seven as moderate.