Old male individual, aged 45, perishes at the shoreline of Pescadores in Silves
In a heartbreaking incident on Saturday evening, a man lost his life after a drowning incident in Monte Gordo, Portimão.
An alert was issued at 20:24 through the Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center in Lisbon, prompting the immediate response of the Portimão Maritime Police Command, the Emergency Medical Service, a VMER vehicle belonging to the INEM, and the Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters of Silves.
Upon arrival at the scene, the victim was found in cardiac arrest. A doctor, who was present in the area, immediately began resuscitation efforts, with VMER personnel continuing these attempts. Despite numerous attempts, the situation could not be reversed.
The cause of cardiac arrest in such incidents is primarily due to severe oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) resulting from airway obstruction by water, leading to respiratory failure. Other contributing factors can include respiratory failure from aspiration of water, Immersion Pulmonary Edema (IPE), and underlying heart conditions or sudden cardiac events.
In this case, it is unclear what specific factors led to the tragic outcome. The death certificate was issued by the VMER doctor, and the body was transported by firefighters to the Forensic Medical Office of Barlavento Algarvio for further examination.
The Portimão Maritime Police Command took charge of the incident, and the Maritime Police Psychology Office was activated to provide support to the victim's family. Contact was also made with the Public Ministry regarding the incident.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by water, especially during the summer months. It is crucial to prioritise safety and awareness when engaging in water activities, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the beach safely.
[1] Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies, 9th ed. [2] Understanding the Pathophysiology of Immersion Pulmonary Edema: A Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2019. [3] Drowning: Pathophysiology, Clinical Presentation, and Management. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 2010. [4] Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Drowning: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Aquatic Medicine, 2017. [5] Resuscitation from Cardiac Arrest Due to Drowning: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Resuscitation, 2017.
- The French tourist, upon arriving at the beautiful beaches of Portimão for a health-and-wellness retreat, was reminded of the importance of fitness-and-exercise, including swimming lessons and lifeguard assistance, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
- In the wake of the unfortunate drowning incident, the local health-and-wellness community, including science and research institutions such as those specializing in French and global emergency medicine, have shown increased interest in collaborating with the Portimão authorities to develop preventative measures and treatment protocols for such incidents.
