18-year-old resuscitated after swimming accident in the Bregenzer Ach

The group was at the Ach when the young man initially stayed in the water somewhat apart from his two friends. Suddenly he slapped the surface of the water several times with his hands, as if he could no longer keep himself above water. A swimming outing at the Bregenzer Ach ended dramatically on Monday afternoon: an 18-year-old got into distress while swimming and had to be resuscitated by his friends and first responders.

His friends initially did not recognize the situation as serious because he had often shown similar behavior as a joke before. Only when he stopped moving and remained stuck between two stones did they realize the seriousness of the situation and went to him. According to police, the man's face was partly under water and he was no longer responding.

Recognizing the emergency

The friends pulled him onto a stone and began resuscitation measures. Once they realized what had happened, they immediately began rescue and resuscitation. A first responder carried out an emergency check and administered five initial rescue breaths.

After several initial rescue breaths by a first responder, the youth vomited again and regained consciousness. The man vomited water and briefly came to, but then lost consciousness again. The 18-year-old vomited water and briefly regained consciousness before losing consciousness again.

Resuscitation by friends and first responders

Other swimmers had called emergency services in the meantime and set the rescue chain in motion. After the emergency services arrived, the professionals took over the further care of the young man. The transport to the Bregenz hospital also had to be accompanied by police.

During treatment by the emergency services, the man repeatedly showed aggressive behavior, which is why a sedative had to be administered. The young man repeatedly became aggressive toward the emergency services, police reported. Police accompanied the transport to the Bregenz hospital.

Treatment and transport to the hospital

Police initially provided no further details on the 18-year-old's current state of health and possible lasting damage. The incident occurred in the Austrian federal state of Vorarlberg, at a section of the river that is a popular meeting point for swimmers in summer temperatures.

The Bregenzer Ach is a wild river that, on its way from the Bregenz Forest to Lake Constance, features several swimming spots. Currents, temperature, and partly slippery stones on the riverbed pose a particular challenge for swimmers. In this context, police pointed to the consumption of alcohol, which significantly increases the risk of a swimming accident.

Investigations and police advisory

First responders and swimmers played a crucial role in the rescue chain, since the time between recognizing the emergency and beginning resuscitation has a significant impact on the further course. The friends and the first responder who hurried over took on this task until the emergency services arrived.

The bicycle bridge between Hard and Bregenz, near which the accident occurred, is a well-known crossing of the river and lies in a section that is frequently used in summer by walkers, cyclists, and swimmers. In the afternoon hours, groups of young people regularly gather there, using the shallow parts of the river for swimming and cooling off.

Investigations into the exact circumstances that led to the emergency are ongoing. Police are particularly examining the role that alcohol consumption and the current conditions at this spot of the Bregenzer Ach played. According to initial findings, there is no indication of third-party fault or a collision with other swimmers.

Appeal to swimmers

The officers subsequently appealed to swimmers to take their own limits and the weather and current conditions at the water seriously. They also pointed out the importance of immediately calling emergency services in emergencies and initiating first aid measures until professional help arrives.

Police announced that they would continue to review the incident as part of their routine reporting and, if necessary, publish further details on the 18-year-old's state of health as soon as the Bregenz hospital releases the relevant information.

The case is reminiscent of earlier swimming accidents at the Bregenzer Ach, in which alcohol consumption and self-overestimation also played a role. Rescue organizations in Vorarlberg regularly point out that, despite individual calm sections, the river should not be underestimated and can become dangerous for inexperienced swimmers.

Federal police and water rescue were able to arrive at the scene quickly in the afternoon because patrol drives and checks regularly take place near the bicycle bridge. Other swimmers also supported the initial measures by providing towels and blankets and directing the emergency services.