The Story of the Beach Lifeguards

Beach lifeguarding is a difficult and dangerous job, sometimes even costing one’s life. However, once one has entered the beach lifeguarding profession, no one wants to leave, because this job brings them joy and happiness when they contribute to ensuring the safety of people and tourists.

Happy, sad with the job

In the summer, in the morning and afternoon, Nha Trang beach is always crowded with people and tourists swimming. At around 5:30 am, the sun has just risen, while many people are soaking in the cool blue sea water, a few children are playing on the fine sand, it is also the time when the Rescue Team of Nha Trang Bay Management Board starts working. At Rescue Station No. 2 (park area opposite Nguyen Chanh Street), after a few minutes of quick consultation between team members, under the direction of Team Leader Nguyen Van Hung, the rescuers quickly divided into many groups, walked along the beach in the directions and areas assigned in advance, began to observe, remind people not to swim out of the restricted area, the safe beach. Every day, their work is repeated like that. “Normally, it seems like that, but this job is very harsh, even dangerous. Every day, we take turns working from early morning to late at night, exposing ourselves to the sun and wind. During the season of big waves and strong winds, every time an incident occurs, everyone in the team disregards their own danger and rushes out to save the victims. If you don’t love this job, are enthusiastic and healthy, not everyone can do it,” shared Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hien - Deputy Head of the Rescue Team of Nha Trang Bay Management Board.

Rescue Team members patrol and remind people not to go beyond the safe swimming area.

For Mr. Dang Hung Thoi (27 years old), who has only been in the profession for more than a year, he has saved many people in distress while swimming in the sea, but the moment he faced life and death to save a man who was about to drown last year is something he will never forget. “It was the evening of October 8, 2024, when the sea was in big waves, I was about to finish my shift and go home when I suddenly discovered a couple swimming far out. I reminded them, but the husband was hit by strong waves and could not swim in, so I and another employee quickly rushed out to save him. Luckily, we finally brought the husband to shore and both of us were almost exhausted. It was really dangerous at that time,” Mr. Dang Hung Thoi recounted.

Beach lifeguards are proficient in the use of rescue equipment.

Despite the hardship and danger, most of the people working as beach lifeguards do not want to give up. According to the beach lifeguards, this job brings them many emotions, from the joy of saving victims to the endless sadness, even discouragement when helplessly watching the tragic drowning accidents that take the lives of people. Having worked in the profession for 14 years, Mr. Hien has witnessed many things happening on this beach. However, the tragic drowning accident of a student that happened more than 10 years ago has haunted him forever. “It was around 5pm, the sea was rough, it was dark, a group of students went swimming in the sea. I had just started working then, I tried to advise them not to go into the sea, but they did not listen, and then one of them was swept away by the water and when we discovered the incident it was too late. Since that accident, I have always told myself that I will not let a similar situation happen again,” Mr. Hien confided.

Not only that, in their daily work, members of the Rescue Team also encounter many "half-laughing, half-crying" and even frustrating situations. Especially on windy and wavey days, they have to be on duty regularly and when they discover people swimming despite the danger, they immediately stop them. It's okay if they meet understanding people, but sometimes some people ignore the warnings of the beach lifeguards, some even show a defiant, opposing attitude, and insulting words... However, above all, every day, they still defy difficulties and dangers to save victims, taking that as a joy, sticking with the job.

Looking forward to hearing more

According to research, currently, the Rescue Team of Nha Trang Bay Management Board has 28 members, on duty to ensure the safety of people and tourists swimming from Tran Hung Dao Park to the beginning of Mai Xuan Thuong Street (the length of the beach is about 7 - 8km). According to preliminary statistics, each year, the team rescues dozens of drowning accidents. Mr. Nguyen Van Hung - Captain of the Rescue Team said that in the past, the team's force was quite large (more than 40 people), and the allocation of management areas at the beaches was more convenient. But now, the force is somewhat thin, and the brothers face many difficulties, especially during the rainy and stormy season. Currently, the average salary of beach lifeguards is about 6 - 7 million VND, still low compared to the general level. The conditions of facilities and means for rescue work are still available but not adequate, modern, even old (from 5-7 years ago), and need investment.

Rescue team members practice rescuing drowning victims.

Most beach lifeguards are people who love their job. Because if they don't love their job, don't have a heart for it and a desire to save people, bring safety to people and tourists, then with the difficulties, shortages, high demands on expertise, physical foundation, will, determination to overcome danger... they cannot stand firm. Mr. Nguyen Quoc Viet - Head of the Rescue Team, with more than 13 years of experience in the profession, said: "When I first started working, my salary was only over 1 million VND. At that time, I had to work as a cyclo driver; my wife also went to work to earn enough money to cover the family's living expenses. Now the salary has increased a little, but it is still very low."

It is known that, in addition to professional rescue work, ensuring safety for people and tourists when swimming in the sea, lifeguards also actively participate in activities to prevent and combat natural disasters, floods and storms; coordinate with union members, youth, schools to organize propaganda campaigns to prevent and combat drowning accidents for children; coordinate with police forces, take the initiative to ensure security, order, and arrest thieves, pickpockets, etc. "The beach lifeguard job looks easy, but in fact it is very hard and dangerous. This is a very special job, lifeguards are not only good at their profession and have good health, but also require courage, and dare to risk their own lives to save people. Hopefully, in the coming time, local authorities and functional agencies will pay more attention and have appropriate support policies so that beach lifeguards can work with peace of mind" - Mr. Nguyen Van Hung shared.

FILIAL PIETY

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/xa-hoi/202507/chuyen-nhung-nguoi-cuu-ho-bai-bien-abf1f01/