Unpaid lifeguards saving lives …

[Janet]

A 70-year-old woman is in Hospitén Sur tonight in critical condition after nearly drowning at Los Cristianos beach. Fellow bathers pulled her unconscious from the water, and eyewitnesses say that the police had to drive to Playa de las Vistas, the beach with the only lifeguard service at present, to fetch a lifeguard who managed to resuscitate her. After being stabilized, she was transferred to Hospiten Sur (Green Hospital), where she remains in critical condition, but alive. Evidently all best wishes go to this woman for her recovery, but this could so easily have been a fatality, and shows how desperate the need is for these lifeguards to be able to work fully again ... JA

[Michael]

I'm relieved this woman is ok but i'm just thinking, suppose she had been British and had died through lack of lifeguard cover and then the British tabloids had found out why ............................... 

[Guanche]

What concerns me more is that the police were incapable of rendering first aid themselves!

[Janet]

Again, the lifeguards have saved someone's life at Playa de Las Vistas. This time, a 50 year old woman who was resuscitated just after 2pm this afternoon after suffering a heart attack. She is now in critical condition after being stabilized at the scene and transferred to Hospitén Sur. I think it will cross everyone's mind that she was lucky this happened at the one Arona beach with a lifeguard service - even though the lifeguards are still for waiting payment after winning a Court judgment requiring the Ayuntamiento to give them the money they are entitled to - and which they deserve so very much. JA

[Michael]

A former colleague of mine is heading to Tenerife in 6 weeks time with her 3 young daughters. I saw her recently and told her about the lifeguard issues.

I just wanted her to be aware, but she instantly decided not to go on any beach. 

[Janet]

This latest case has been officially reported as "emergency services saving a life ... " but here's the proof of the lifeguards' urgent action which was underway before the arrival of paramedics. This is not meant remotely to detract from the value of the paramedics, but in the interests of accuracy ... and truth ...

[Janet]

And another call for assistance resulted in immediate help from the lifeguards in Playa de las Vistas, even though they remain unpaid and seem abandoned at every official turn. This time, a 53-year-old Santa Cruz woman who fainted after suffering a severe fall in blood pressure. She was transferred to hospital for further examination. JA

[Janet]

Arona lifeguards have saved the life of an 8-month-old British baby who was suffering from heatstroke, with dehydration and breathing problems. They ask parents to take great care, even when it appears to be the cool season here, with small children because they can be affected suddenly and devastatingly. On this occasion, they were able to act quickly, and the baby will be fine. JA

[Myrtle Hogan-Lance]

The baby would probably be better if taken from such stupid parents.  Well done lifeguards.

[Michael]

Arona lifeguards have saved the life of an 8-month-old British baby who was suffering from heatstroke, with dehydration and breathing problems. They ask parents to take great care, even when it appears to be the cool season here, with small children because they can be affected suddenly and devastatingly. On this occasion, they were able to act quickly, and the baby will be fine. JA

I'm reminded of the saying, 'You need a license to own a dog but any fool can have a child'.