Rescue Operation in Łeba: Lifeguards Fight for a Man’s Life for Over 90 Minutes

On 9 July 2025 at 16:24, lifeguards stationed at the supervised beach area A1 in Łeba received a distress report concerning a person drowning near the eastern breakwater, outside the supervised bathing zone. Immediate action was taken.

Kamil Kusier executive editor 10.07.2025, 09:35 Reading time: 2 min

SAR and fire rescue vehicles on a beach near a no swimming sign, with lifeguards by the water in the background — fot. Sebastian Kluska / MSPiR SAR / X

In brief

Rescuers in Łeba located and pulled a drowning man from the water at 16:58, after 34 minutes of searching near the eastern breakwater. The report of a person drowning at an unguarded beach came in on 9 July 2025 at 16:24, and a jet ski with a rescue platform, two quad bikes, lifeguards of the Gniewino WOPR, the SAR Base Rescue Station in Łeba and the Łeba Volunteer Fire Brigade were dispatched. After resuscitation using an AED defibrillator, vital functions were restored and the man was taken away by a Polish Medical Air Rescue helicopter. The operation ended at 18:40.

The first team of lifeguards was dispatched within moments. A rescue watercraft with a tow platform and two ATVs were deployed to the site. Simultaneously, additional resources were activated, including personnel from the Base Rescue Station of SAR in Łeba and Volunteer Fire Department (OSP Łeba). Local police and emergency medical services were notified.

Rescue and search operations were carried out jointly by lifeguards from Gniewino Water Rescue Service (WOPR) and SAR’s Maritime Search and Rescue specialists (BSR Łeba). The conditions at the scene were challenging, with currents and limited visibility making the search difficult and dangerous.

34 Minutes Underwater: Race Against Time

At 16:58, after 34 minutes of intense search operations, the victim was located and pulled from the water by the Gniewino WOPR team with support from SAR units. Lifeguards immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and deployed an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Upon arrival of the emergency medical team, advanced resuscitation efforts continued. After a prolonged cardiac arrest, spontaneous circulation was restored — a rare but hopeful outcome in such circumstances.

A Medical Air Rescue helicopter (LPR) was dispatched to the beach and the patient was stabilized and airlifted to a nearby hospital. The full operation concluded at 18:40.

Authorities Urge Responsibility and Awareness on Beaches

Incidents like this serve as a stark reminder that unsupervised swimming areas pose a real threat. Many drownings in Poland occur on unguarded beaches, in prohibited zones, or after alcohol consumption. This is not alarmism – it is a pattern observed year after year by emergency services and water rescue teams.

Authorities once again appeal to the public:

Avoid:

Swimming outside designated and supervised bathing areas
Entering water under the influence of alcohol
Swimming in restricted or dangerous zones
Ignoring lifeguards’ signals and safety flags
Overestimating swimming abilities

Always:

Choose guarded beaches
Follow instructions from lifeguards and rescue personnel
Closely supervise children
Act quickly and alert authorities if you notice someone in danger
Be aware of water safety risks

- We can’t control every factor, but we can control our behavior. Every unsupervised swim is a risk. What we need is more public education, better awareness, and greater respect for the sea. At MSPiR SAR, we’re constantly working to strengthen our capabilities and ensure rapid, effective response wherever needed, said Sebastian Kluska, Director of the Maritime Search and Rescue Service (MSPiR SAR).

Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier