SWIMMER are being urged not to head into the water alone on unpatrolled beaches after a Danish tourist was pulled unconscious from a northern Sydney beach.Two surfers noticed the man, who had been snorkelling near rocks at the southern end of Manly beach, floating face-down about 6.45pm (AEDT) on Sunday, surf lifesavers said.Manly Life Saving Club members worked to resuscitate the man until ambulances arrived.

The 24-year-old was taken to Manly hospital where he remains in intensive care. It is believed he was a Danish tourist swimming for the first time in Australia.Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches rescue services director Steve Faddy said the incident highlighted the dangers of swimming alone on unpatrolled beaches.

“Had the patient been a little further around the point he may not have been seen by the surfers who performed the initial rescue,” Mr Faddy said in a statement.”That would have almost certainly guaranteed a bad outcome for the patient.”