PATTAYA, THAILAND – A lifeguard at Jomtien’s Dongtan Beach revived an unconscious Dutch tourist after a near-drowning incident.
Emergency at Dongtan Beach
Around 1 p.m., an emergency call reported an unresponsive woman lying in the sand behind the police station at the Dongtan curve. Witnesses described an agitated crowd gathered around the approximately 60-year-old Dutch tourist, who showed no signs of life.
“She was unconscious, did not respond and had no palpable pulse.”
said a rescuer at the scene.
CPR Restores Pulse on the Sand
A beach-based lifeguard from Pattaya immediately began chest compressions (CPR), with every second said to have counted. After sustained resuscitation efforts, the woman’s pulse returned, marking a decisive initial success.
At the same time, an Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance from Pattaya City Hospital was dispatched to the beach. The coordinated response ensured a smooth transfer from the shoreline into professional medical care.
How the Swimming Accident Unfolded
Lifeguard Thongchai Thiangcharoen explained that the tourist had entered the sea when she apparently suffered muscle cramps. The cramps caused her to go under, and quick-acting beachgoers pulled the unconscious woman from the water and brought her ashore.
“I checked her vital signs immediately. When I found none, I started CPR without hesitation.”
said the lifeguard, adding that close coordination with the professional rescue service secured safe transport.
Condition Stable at Pattaya City Hospital
The rescued woman was taken rapidly under intensive medical supervision to Pattaya City Hospital, where she continued to receive treatment. According to current reports, her condition was stable.
Further details and a precise prognosis were not made public for data protection reasons. Officials stressed that the fast rescue chain from the beach to the hospital had saved her life.
Training and Safety Behind the Rescue
The city of Pattaya emphasized that such successful rescues were no coincidence, pointing to regular first aid and water rescue training for staff and lifeguards as standard practice.
“These programs significantly increase the chances of survival in bathing accidents.”
said an official body, calling the incident a model case of training, readiness and swift action.
Local authorities used the case to again highlight the importance of bathing safety, particularly for foreign visitors. The incident was cited as evidence that safety measures at Pattaya’s most popular beaches were working.
Experts Warn Time Is Critical
Medical experts underlined that the first minutes after a drowning accident could decide between life and death, and that immediate resuscitation on the beach was crucial.
“The lifeguard did everything right. Every minute without oxygen damages the brain.”
said an emergency physician, praising the cooperation with the specialized ALS team as optimal.
The case showed that professional beach supervision was more than mere prevention. According to the experts, it could be the difference between life and death when seconds truly mattered.