Orihuela Costa deploys lifeguards early before summer

Service brought forward by two weeks as visitors flock to coast

Manuel Mestre at the lifeguard hut on Playa la Glea

The lifeguard service in Orihuela Costa started early this year, on the weekend of May 31-June 1, in response to the increasing number of visitors arriving before the official start of summer.

“We are using all the necessary means to guarantee the safety of bathers,” said the councillor for the coast, Manuel Mestre.

In previous years, the service started on June 15, so “this year we have brought it forward to ensure safety on our beaches from the first moment”, he explained.

The lifeguard service was in place for the abovementioned weekend, then started operating every day from June 6 and will continue until September 15.

They are on duty from 10am to 7pm each day until June 30, and this will be extended until 8pm during July and August

The lifeguards work in mobile patrols and at fixed points on the main beaches in the municipality, which are Playa Punta Prima, Cala La Mosca, Cala La Estaca-Playa Flamenca, Cala Cerrada-La Zenia, Cala Bosque-La Zenia, Cala Capitán, Playa La Caleta-Cabo Roig, Playa Aguamarina-Campoamor, Playa La Glea-Campoamor, Playa Barranco Rubio-Campoamor and Playa Mil Palmeras.

Material and human resources

The service has a wide range of equipment to deal with any emergency, including a jet ski with a lifeguard driver and a basic life support (SVB) ambulance. From July, there will also be a zodiac inflatable rescue motor boat, a second jet ski and an advanced life support (SVA) ambulance.

Furthermore, there is a semi-rigid inflatable boat, a stretcher for a jet ski, a pick-up vehicle and external semi-automatic defibrillators to further improve their rapid response capacity.

In terms of personnel, from May 30 to June 30, and from September 1-15, the service will have 26 lifeguards, an emergency technician and a boat captain. And from July 1 to August 31, this will be increased to 33 lifeguards, three captains, three emergency technicians and a nurse, in order to ensure they can offer professional and rapid attention all the time.

Accessible bathing for people with reduced mobility

“We have also set up adapted bathing points for people with reduced mobility on four beaches,  where the lifeguards will provide direct support to facilitate safe bathing,” the councillor explained.

These adapted bathing points will be at Cala Bosque, Cala Capitán, Playa La Glea and Playa Barranco Rubio.

“From the coast department, we want everyone to be able to enjoy the sea with peace of mind and the utmost security guarantees,” said Mestre.

He assured that this planning has enabled Orihuela to "start the summer season with security and a quality service, offering residents a coastal area that is protected and accessible to everyone".

Image: Ayuntamiento de Orihuela