Confirmation of the tally came through the Patong Surf Life saving monthly report released earlier this week, detailing assistance provided to tourists during both daytime and nighttime shifts.
As usual, the report highlights the wide range of incidents where lifeguards rendered first aid and other services to beachgoers, clearly indicating the vital role they play in tourists’ safety at the island’s most popular beach.
In addition to the rip-current rescues, lifeguards needed to provide assistance to one person who was exhausted after being knocked down by waves.
Four people received first aid for marine animal stings, and two people sustained different injuries in the water, one requiring hospital treatment after being cut by a sharp object.
Lifeguards assisted four people in other minor incidents, with 14 injured in “water toy” accidents ‒ four of whom required hospital care.
Highlighting the varied nature of the assistance lifeguards provide, one lost child was reunited with their parents, one tourist’s belongings were safely returned and first aid was provided in one fight-related incident that required lifeguards to intervene.
The report also noted the Patong lifeguards’ essential ongoing programme to provide surf safety and danger awareness education to young children at three schools in the area.
Overall, seven people were transported to the hospital during the daytime. There were 44 incidents classified as minor, six as moderate, and one as severe.
While lifeguards exit the beach at sunset each day, many of them continue their work to provide assistance to people at the beach during the nighttime through their ‘Patong Baywatch’ team.
The ‘Patong Baywatch’ initiative was created and remains funded by the Patong Development Foundation, with the foundation itself created by local businessman Preechavude ‘Prab’ Keesin, owner of the Pisona group of companies and son of former Patong Mayor Pian Keesin.
During August, lifeguards on night patrol at Patong Beach escorted one intoxicated person to Patong Police Station, while two others, under the influence of herbal substances, were taken to Patong Hospital.
Also at night, two individuals were caught in strong currents and required hospital treatment, as did two people involved in road accidents.
In a less dangerous night incident, another tourist’s belongings were returned safely.
A total of seven cases were sent to the hospital at night, with one incident classified as minor and seven as moderate.