Walking along Da Nang’s beaches, it is easy to see the images of Da Nang beach lifeguards on duty for the safety of residents and tourists. Timely and effective rescue activities contribute to building Da Nang’s image as a safe and civilised destination.

The Management Board of Son Tra Peninsula and Da Nang tourist beaches coordinates with organisations and associations to improve skills and expertise of local lifeguards. Photo: TRAN TRUC

Wearing yellow and red uniforms with strong bodies and tanned skin, lifeguards from the Management Board of the Son Tra Peninsula and Da Nang tourist beaches are always diligent in their work regardless of sunny or rainy days. During peak season, when the number of visitors increases dramatically, the rescue team is on duty 24/7, responding to all unexpected situations.

Having been to the sea and been involved in the rescue profession for nine years now, Mr. Bui Van Cong, a lifeguard residing in Man Thai Ward, Son Tra District, Da Nang, always tries to ensure the safety of swimmers.

Mr. Cong said that in the past, each member of the team had a different job, but most of them were good swimmers and knew how to handle emergency situations at sea.

“To do this job, we had to go through a rigorous training process, swimming at least 800m to meet rescue capabilities. In addition, we had to master diving skills, artificial respiration and clearing airways... During nearly ten years of working in this profession, every time we rescued a case, I and my colleaguez were very happy and joyful because we could contribute a little to maintaining the image of the peaceful city”, said Mr. Cong.

According to the beach lifeguards, the important principle in rescuing people in danger is not to swim straight into the middle of the water but to go around to both sides, taking advantage of the current to bring the victim to shore safely.

Rescuers must be healthy enough, have the skills to handle situations and cannot delay when discovering someone drowning and always be ready to jump into the sea for emergency rescue.

At the same time, it is necessary to understand the managed sea area to prevent visitors from swimming in deep water areas and to early detect dangerous signs. According to statistics, since 2022, the Da Nang beach rescue team has rescued nearly 200 cases.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Vinh, the captain of the Da Nang beach rescue team, said that the team has nearly 100 employees divided into 20 groups, performing rescue duties across tourist beaches from Ngu Hanh Son and Son Tra districts to Thanh Khe and Lien Chieu districts.

The team is assigned in shifts, starting from 4:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. every day, with increased night patrols until 9:30 p.m. in key areas.

“Lifeguards in my team have to wake up early and finish work late at night regardless of the weather. With such a large number of swimmers gathering at the beach, having to keep an eye on every move of each person is a real challenge. Therefore, the team members must concentrate highly to recognise who is at risk of danger in order to give timely warnings or rescue in time. Besides, to stay safe during rescue, maintaining calm in all situations is a very important factor. Despite finishing their fixed work shift, we are still present at the beach to proactively grasp the situation. That is the habit that each Da Nang lifeguard has practiced together for many years. The members in the team always realize that protecting the safety of local residents and tourists is also contributing to beautifying the image of the tourist city of Da Nang”, said Mr. Vinh.

Mr. Phan Minh Hai, the Deputy Head of the Management Board of the Son Tra Peninsula and Da Nang Tourist Beaches, informed that in recent times, the unit has actively coordinated with domestic and foreign organisations and associations to help rescue workers enhance their professional skills and expertise.

In these training courses, they were instructed to skills such as first aid CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), using life buoys, running, swimming, transporting victims and preventing children from drowning.

The team’s members knew how to recognize currents, rescue signals and teamwork skills to effectively handle specific situations.

The management board has also synchronously deployed many measures to ensure the safety of tourists at the beaches such as increasing the rescue force, arranging 100% of the rescue force on duty at key beaches; maintaining patrols during daily duty hours, posting buoys in safe bathing areas; installing warning signs prohibiting bathing in dangerous areas with offshore currents; Install warning signs in certain areas without rescue forces...

In preparation for the 2025 peak tourist season, the management board is focusing on improving the expertise of the rescue team; strengthening rescue facilities and equipment; expanding publicity and community education activities, thereby, helping to ensure the absolute safety of tourists and residents, as well as contributing to building the image of Da Nang tourism as a safe and civilised destination.

Reporting by TRAN TRUC, THU HUONG - Translating by A. THU