Learning from an emergency response exercise
Safety is our highest priority
On Tuesday 25 February 2025, Tromsøbadet held an emergency preparedness day. A rescue exercise with the Tromsø Ambulance Service and emergency medical service was a central part of the programme, providing valuable lessons for our lifeguards and the emergency personnel involved.
The 2025 preparedness day focused on lifesaving and first aid, testing internal safety and emergency routines and practising cooperation with the emergency services.
Important lessons
“Regular training is extremely important when your role as a lifeguard is to keep our guests safe,” said safety lead Arne Stave, who was responsible for the preparedness day and exercise. (Translated from Norwegian.)
The exercise involved two scenarios:
- A neck injury in a water slide following a fall
- Drowning followed by cardiac arrest in the sports pool
Being ready when an accident happens
Tromsøbadet tested cooperation between lifeguards, the control-room team monitoring the swimming facilities, reception and emergency management. Everyone has an important role in a real rescue.
“In a real emergency, time is critical, and seconds can count,” the safety lead explained. (Translated from Norwegian.)
“That is why we practise, so that we are well prepared if an accident happens,” he concluded. (Translated from Norwegian.)
Tromsøbadet thanks the ambulance service and emergency medical service for their cooperation and looks forward to future joint exercises.
Images from the 2025 preparedness day
Developing emergency response skills
Tromsøbadet provides annual skills development in emergency preparedness and maintenance. This includes regular lifesaving and first-aid exercises for our lifeguards.
PHOTO: Tromsøbadet lifeguards have just completed a rescue manoeuvre, bringing the exercise casualty out of the sports pool.
Images from the 2025 preparedness day
Practising teamwork
During the exercise on 25 February 2025, Tromsøbadet tested cooperation between lifeguards, the control room, reception, emergency management and the emergency services. Everyone plays an important role in a real rescue.
PHOTO: Tromsøbadet lifeguards practise chest compressions. One of the exercise scenarios was drowning followed by cardiac arrest. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is practised regularly by our lifeguards.
Images from the 2025 preparedness day
Thank you for working with us
PHOTO: The ambulance service and emergency medical service leave Tromsøbadet with an exercise casualty with a simulated neck injury. Cooperation with the emergency services is an important part of our training.
Thank you to the ambulance service and emergency medical service for their cooperation.
Images from the 2025 preparedness day
Reviewing the exercise
A joint review is an important part of the exercise, giving everyone involved a chance to discuss lessons learned.
PHOTO: Tromsøbadet lifeguards, the Tromsø Ambulance Service and emergency medical service meet for a debrief after the exercise.
Watch the 2025 preparedness day on NRK Nordnytt
Follow the link below and skip to approximately 11:45 in the broadcast to watch the report about Tromsøbadet’s exercise on 25 February 2025, involving simulated drowning and neck injuries during opening hours. The report is in Norwegian.
Lifesaving and first aid at Tromsøbadet
Safety always comes first at Tromsøbadet. It is reflected in our core values, including Safe as one of our three values. Under this strategy, the first quarter of 2025 focused on lifesaving and first aid. Tromsøbadet holds regular preparedness days with realistic rescue exercises.