Hospital da Luz Setúbal was the official medical provider in the 10 th Lidl Setúbal Triathlon . In the morning of April 12, over 1,300 athletes gave their best swimming 1.9 km in the waters of river Sado, riding 90 km by bicycle (including climbing up and down the Arrábida mountain) and running 21.1 km along Setúbal’s main streets – demanding events of physical resistance and overcoming, where many athletes have counted with the unconditional support of their families who came from all over the country. Hospital da Luz could not miss this real annual celebration of triathlon organized by HMS Sports. So that everything would proceed in safety, 15 health professionals were assigned – a doctor, two nurses and 12 emergency medical technicians – supported by three ambulances and four emergency bikes (two of them equipped with advanced life support) and using a private radio communication network. The medical centre, near the start line, next to Auditorium José Afonso, was equipped with all the necessary material and devices to provide full assistance from small injuries to more serious health problems, such as cardiorespiratory arrest that might happen in sports events of this dimension. It had, for instance, defibrillator monitors, an external cardiac compressor, medication, material for bandage application and small surgeries, besides external automated defibrillators, stretchers, and wheelchairs. Acting in pairs, some of the emergency technicians were placed in crucial points of the three events, while others rode on bikes accompanying the bicycle event, for instance. Fortunately, the worst did not happen, and the final balance was very positive: only 24 persons assisted (mostly athletes, but also a few members of the organization staff), 14 of which treated at the medical centre and eight on site. There have been just a few bicycle falls (requiring immediate suture on site), muscle pain, and a few cases of hypothermia and dehydration. Who also did not stop all morning was Lu, the Hospital da Luz mascot, entertaining the children present. The children were even provided with small chairs and tables to make drawings and had the opportunity to do face paintings. Sports and health hand in hand Hospital da Luz Setúbal was the official medical service provider in Lidl Setúbal Triathlon for the second consecutive year. “We believe in the values of sport and in the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. This event is an excellent opportunity to encourage the practice of physical exercise and welfare of our community. Furthermore, the triathlon is an event that requires resistance and overcoming, qualities that we cherish and reflect our commitment to care for the health of the region’s population”, stated Cristina Fezas Vital, executive director of Hospital da Luz Setúbal. Hospital da Luz Setúbal has a Sports Medicine Centre with various speciality physicians and other clinical professionals who respond to the health needs of all kinds of athletes, from recreational to professional and competition practitioners. The winners in the individual competitions were Rafael Domingos, in men, and Ana Ramos, in women. In the photo below, the award ceremony to the first three places in the men category (Rafael Domingos, Tomás Teixeira and João Francisco Ferreira), the prizes being handed by the main sponsors: Lidl (Duarte Frade, brand director), Setúbal Municipality (Maria das Dores Meira, president), and Hospital da Luz Setúbal (Sílvia Lopes, management centre director).
