CRUZ ROJA XÀBIA PROVIDED OVER 1,900 MEDICAL ASSISTANCES THIS SUMMER
Some 40% of assistance was provided to those affected by jellyfish stings.
Cruz Roja Xàbia carried out more than 1,900 medical assistances during the surveillance season of the five beaches in the municipality, according to data derived from the annual report of the service that the association delivered to the Department of Beaches this week.
According to the report, personnel in charge of the surveillance service which watched over visitors to the beaches of La Grava, Montanyar/Bennissero, Arenal, Portitxol and Granadella provided a total of 1,915 medical assistances, most notable some 780 for jellyfish stings and 592 for various wounds. First responder assistance with ambulance was required on 71 occasions whilst a bather had to transferred to either the Health Centre in Xàbia or the regional hospital in Dénia on 50 occasions.
Another important part of the service’s responsibilities was the aid and rescue of people at sea and the lifeguards assisted 98 people who found themselves in dangerous situations, of which 36 were in a kayak, 22 on paddle surfboards, 23 were bathers on the beach, and another 13 were helped whilst they were in their boats for conditions ranging from dizziness to multiple trauma.
These interventions mainly occurred in the Portitxol zone (51) as well as secluded areas such as La Cala, Cap Negre, Cala El Pom, Cala Pallers and Isla del Descubridor. Another 24 were attended in the Arenal zone as well as the Cala del Ministerio and Segundo Montañar whilst 18 were carried out in the area of Granadella (El Caló, Cova del Llop Marí and the bay itself).
With a team of 45 people during the high season, the assessment of the Cruz Roja for the summer is positive, highlighting a slight decrease in serious interventions and rescues compared to 2022. However, there has been an increase in assistance to those affected by jellyfish stings due to the presence of the species on the beaches.
In addition, the report highlights that the trend of previous summers continues with the popularity of Cala La Barraca/Portitxol, both of the beach itself and in the surrounding areas, which have caused an increase in interventions and rescues, especially of swimmers and those using kayaks, paddle surfboards and jetskis.
Councillor Juan Ortolá (Beaches) expressed his gratitude to the entire Cruz Roja team for their good work in taking care of everyone on the beaches of our municipality whilst also highlighting the specialization of the team to assist both on the beaches and in rescues along the coast. He also announced that his department are already working with the Departments of Services and of Tourism to prepare an improvement plan for all beaches and coves in Xàbia for next year.
