The Crucial Role of Training and Coordination in Life-Saving Water Rescue Operations
Training and preparation are fundamental when it comes to saving lives, especially in emergency situations where every second counts. Rigorous training is essential as it enables individuals and teams to act effectively at critical moments, guaranteeing not only their safety, but also the preservation of the lives of those who depend on their quick and decisive actions.
As part of their Open Day and as a way of marking the opening of the bathing season, the Esmoriz Fire Department organized a water rescue exercise that was attended by other fire departments such as those from Espinho and Ovar and by Squadron 552 - “Zangões” of the Portuguese Air Force.
The chosen location was Praia do Cantinho, in Esmoriz, and it was a way of letting the public know about the firefighters' capabilities in carrying out this type of rescue and how the interconnection between organizations can enable a faster and more effective rescue.
The scenario presented was the following:
Following the sinking of a boat off Praia do Cantinho, the two lifeguards on duty at the beach made the first call for help, then entered the water and proceeded to reach the victims.
The first emergency services arrived on the scene: a 4x4 vehicle with a trailer carrying a jet ski, a 4x4 UTV and an ambulance. Once the jet ski was in the water, the team headed towards the victims to start evacuating them. During this process, another 4x4 vehicle arrived with another jet ski, which quickly joined the effort to evacuate the victims to the shoreline. The emergency teams are waiting for the first victims to arrive so that they can provide care and then transport them to hospital.
Due to the high number of victims, an Air Force helicopter was activated, via the interconnection of the Civil Protection Command and the Air Command. This helicopter was the AW119 Koala, belonging to Squadron 552 - “Zangões”, which is currently stationed at Air Base No. 8 in Maceda. Due to the proximity of the base to the incident site, it was able to quickly get to the scene. After a reconnaissance flyover, they begin extracting the victims to the beach, where the emergency teams are waiting for them. At the end, the two lifeguards who had been the first to rescue the shipwrecked and who were too exhausted to get out of the water on their own were extracted from the water.
The importance of training and preparation in emergency situations cannot be underestimated, as demonstrated by the water rescue exercise organized by the Esmoriz Fire Department. This event, which brought together several fire departments and the Portuguese Air Force, exemplified the effectiveness of inter-institutional coordination and the value of rigorous training. The ability to respond quickly and efficiently to a shipwreck, as shown during the exercise, is crucial to saving lives. These simulations are fundamental to ensuring that, when the real disaster strikes, the first responders are ready to act with precision and competence, protecting both the lives of the victims and their own.
