Photo: Sina Weibo

A female “mermaid” performer who fainted during a performance at an indoor ocean amusement park in Taiyuan, North China’s Shanxi Province on Friday remains in hospital for further observation. The amusement park involved has suspended operations following public concerns.

Video clips posted by netizens on Friday showed the “mermaid” performer suddenly curled up and convulsed during her performance before losing consciousness in the water, Jimu News reported.

On-site audiences initially mistook this scene for part of the performance and only called for help after the performer remained motionless for 20 seconds. A male staff member jumped into the water and rescued the performer, Jiemian News reported.

The local emergency management bureau in Taiyuan told the media on Friday that it had inquired with Taiyuan Ocean World, the indoor ocean-themed amusement park where the incident happened, and the park authority confirmed that a “mermaid” performer had fainted due to hypoglycemia while performing underwater. She has been rescued and sent to hospital, and she is not in any life-threatening condition, with further details still under investigation.

On Friday night, the official account of the Taiyuan Ocean World on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, posted two video clips showing the “mermaid” lying in a hospital bed on a ventilator but conscious. She stated in a video that she was conscious and her vital signs remained normal, according to Jimu News.

On Saturday, the “mermaid” remained in the ICU, staying conscious but suffering chest tightness. However, because she inhaled water, there is a risk of a lung infection, and further observation is needed, Jimu News learned from a relative of the “mermaid.”

The ocean park has suspended all water performances to conduct a safety self-inspection while the city’s culture and tourism bureau has launched a citywide safety inspection on all special performance venues, focusing on key issues such as rescue response times, health management and equipment provision to identify potential risks and strengthen safety regulations, the Yangtse Evening Post reported.

According to a “mermaid” coach with seven years of experience, underwater performances typically consist of a 10-minute set of movements, with each breath-hold lasting no more than one minute. The performer may have already been in a hypoxic state before fainting. The response speed of the venue’s safety personnel and the availability of rescue equipment have become major points of public concern, according to Jiemian News.

Before entering the water, performers typically eat very little, as movements like rolling and spinning underwater can cause stomach discomfort and affect their performance, Jimu News learned on Saturday from an industry insider surnamed Chen. Chen noted that accidents during a “mermaid” performance are rare unless the performer experiences a sudden health issue. In such cases, it is crucial to have safety personnel on-site to carry out immediate rescue operations and to ensure that professional rescue equipment is readily available.

Another “mermaid” coach from Taiyuan explained that performers must thoroughly warm up before entering the water, check their equipment carefully, and ensure they are in good physical condition. Every dive must be accompanied by a dive buddy or safety officer to provide timely support and prevent any issues from being overlooked, Jimu News reported.

In recent years, “mermaid” performances have become a popular entertainment item at many tourist attractions. Online information shows that a tourist attraction in Sanya city, South China’s Hainan Province, is recruiting “mermaid” performers offering a monthly salary of 13,000 yuan ($1,784), requiring a height between 170 and 175 centimeters and a professional diving certificate.

Global Times