The lifeguards were alerted to the situation around 1:13pm yesterday afternoon by a group of jet ski operators based at the popular beach on the island’s west coast, according to reports from The Phuket News’ sister paper Khao Phuket.
The individual was approximately 150 metres offshore when he encountered difficulties, prompting the jet ski operators to alert the lifeguards who rushed to help.
They managed to rescue the man, who it transpired was unconscious, and bring him ashore before performing basic CPR on him.
The lifeguards were able to revive the 72-year-old man although he remained unconscious and in a precarious state.
A vehicle from Thalang Hospital’s Advanced EMS Unit then arrived on the scene and rushed the man to Thalang Hospital before he was transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital.
No official comment has been made on the status of the American tourist’s state of health at time of press although it is believed he was fully revived and is recovering at Vachira Phuket Hospital.
Police confirmed that from initial reports the tourist had gone swimming with two male friends at in the water off Surin Beach before the incident happened.
Police made no mention of the man’s friends and their involvement during the unfortunate incident, however.