The Water Rescue Services of Hungary (VMSZ) provided assistance to 3,702 injured beachgoers this summer and intervened in 56 cases requiring advanced medical care, the organization reported on Tuesday.
According to their statement, VMSZ lifeguards were deployed at 57 beaches across Hungary in 2025. They rescued 30 swimmers from the water, three of whom required resuscitation before emergency medical units arrived.
The service’s rescue boats — including two rapid-response vessels — were dispatched 306 times and pulled 127 people from Lake Balaton. In 39 additional cases, crews assisted with technical rescues, such as towing malfunctioning boats or righting overturned vessels.
Medical staff aboard VMSZ boats provided on-site care to patients in 34 cases, either on the water or at beaches. The service’s emergency vehicle fleet, including an ambulance and a paramedic car, responded to 60 incidents during the season.
VMSZ also provided safety services at 15 open water and land-based events this year, including high-profile gatherings like the Lake Balaton Cross-Swimming, the Blue Ribbon Sailing Regatta, and the beatification ceremony of young martyr Mária Magdolna Bódi.
The organization emphasized its commitment to accident prevention and public education. Its prevention team hosted 17 events where children and adults could learn basic resuscitation techniques and water safety rules. As part of a broader safety initiative, VMSZ installed 10 life jacket stations at Lake Balaton beaches and two marinas, offering free access to child-sized life vests.
Training and development remained a priority for the organization in 2025, with 11 open-water lifeguard training courses producing 108 newly certified lifeguards. An additional six people graduated from the pool lifeguard program, while 63 individuals completed waterslide operator training.
The VMSZ’s underwater dive team was called upon 44 times for search operations, primarily to recover lost items from the lakebed.
Heading into next summer, the service will focus on maintaining and upgrading its equipment and will continue to support events with safety teams. Rescue boats will remain on standby at Lake Balaton and can be reached via the BalatonHelp mobile app.
Celebrating its 25th year of operation, the VMSZ reiterated its mission to make Lake Balaton the safest lake in Europe. The organization also encouraged the public to watch a short film about its 2025 operations, now available on its website.
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Via MTI; Featured image: Hungary Today
The post Lifeguards on Duty: Over 3,700 Rescued in Record-Breaking Summer at Lake Balaton appeared first on Hungary Today.
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