Dramatic turnaround in a relaxing day of swimming in Seefeld (Tyrol): Helpers pulled an unconscious boy out of the water, and other bathers assisted. The rescue operation, which happens dozens of times a day, was impressive for other reasons. “Krone” editor Philipp Neuner happened to be there as an eyewitness.
There is a lot of discussion about the Tyrolean health system. It is shown that this is too expensive and that doesn’t work so well, that waiting times at the clinic are too long or that one or the other area is starved of personnel and finances. Everything is right and important. But anyone who has experienced a rescue operation up close and sees what the helpers do will gain a new perspective on our health system. And feel a special form of gratitude. I’ve been feeling this way since Sunday. We had just moved into loungers in the outdoor area of the Seefeld Olympic Sports and Congress Center, put up the parasol and were looking forward to a relaxing day of swimming. The children were splashing in the water, the sun was shining from the sky, a cool breeze was blowing, guests from all over the world were talking in foreign languages - pure holiday feeling and at home. Suddenly a scream! Bathers jumped up and rushed to a young boy who had apparently passed out in the pool. They immediately pulled him out of the water. Others put up umbrellas. This is how civil courage works: Go instead of looking away, act carefully – and send away those who are too curious. Two (!) lifeguards rushed over. It certainly took less than five minutes until the follow-up horn of approaching rescue could be heard. Three or four rescue workers arrived, I just saw that they were young. Police officers like those from the Cobra. Then the police arrived, also young emergency services who could have been from the Cobra based on their appearance. First two, then two more. They walked through the lying area and looked for a nearby landing site for the emergency helicopter. But that wasn’t necessary after all. Apparently not everyone is flown to the clinic because Tyrol has too many helicopters. Two or three more emergency doctors and paramedics arrived. They greeted their colleagues in a friendly manner, who had stabilized the patient and lifted him onto a mobile stretcher. Escorted by police and rescue personnel, he was pushed in the convoy through the emergency exit to the car. Two ambulances set off with a follow-up horn. It is actually possible that our system is the best. On this day, the big craft festival took place in Seefeld, with a parade of traditional associations and thousands of visitors. I don’t know whether the rescue workers had stationed additional forces specifically for this purpose. I only saw one rescue operation that was carried out in an impressively professional manner. Something like that commands the greatest respect from me. It’s quite possible that our system is actually one of the best in the world. The rescuers work 24/7, which is not a given in times like these and a reason to be grateful: for the fact that so many young, well-trained people are in the service of one to a good cause – day after day, night after night, and even on weekends. The patient was conscious when he was transported away. I wish him a speedy recovery!
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