Lifeguards are urging beachgoers to inform others when leaving their belongings unattended or going out on the water, following two large-scale rescue operations triggered by abandoned items that turned out to be false alarms. The incidents involved a pile of wet clothes and a health insurance card, and a paddleboard found drifting in the sea.

These unnecessary operations put a strain on resources, involving police, coastal rescue boats, rescue helicopters, and lifeguards, who must search for a potential victim under immense pressure. The extensive searches are resource-intensive and emotionally taxing for the rescue personnel involved.

Anders Myrhøj, head of coastal lifeguarding at TrygFonden Kystlivredning, emphasized the importance of communication. He advised beachgoers to notify someone nearby if they leave their belongings unattended for an extended period and to inform others when going out on a board or other watercraft, as well as upon their return. If a board is lost, lifeguards should be notified immediately by calling 114.

In one instance, an abandoned paddleboard prompted a search after beachgoers reported seeing two people drifting out to sea. The operation was called off after several hours when no one was found and no missing persons were reported.

The first week of lifeguard duty at TrygFonden’s towers on 34 beaches and harbor baths was particularly busy due to the combination of high temperatures and strong winds. Lifeguards carried out a total of 8188 interventions, with four cases involving imminent danger to life. In addition, they provided 351 first aid actions, 947 preventive actions, and 6886 informative actions.