RNLI launches ‘Beachwise’ campaign
Swimming on a lifeguarded beach means you are 500 times less likely to drown

Sunday 6th May 2007

RNLI lifeguards in rescue surfers swept out to sea in freak sea rescue incident

RNLI volunteer lifeguards went to the rescue of surfers and body boarders who were swept out to sea when a sand bank unexpectedly collapsed at Watergate Bay on Sunday (6 May). An rare occurrence on UK beaches in the UK.  

Aton Page, an RNLI lifeguard who was on voluntary patrol at Watergate for the Bank Holiday explains how a sandbank can collapse, putting water users in danger. 
‘A sandbank collapsing is typical in countries like Australia where the big surf and rip currents weaken the structure of the bank.  When a bank collapses, there is usually no warning, it causes the shallow water to suddenly become deep, creating a current which sweeps those in it out to sea.’
‘As beaches in the UK are generally flatter, sandbanks are less common, however the prolonged spell of good weather and small surf, will have loosened up the sand, and created small troughs and sand banks under the water.  This weekend was the first we’ve had with a big swell, and at low tide the big waves breaking on the bank would have caused it to collapse.
‘There were about 10 people in the water when the bank collapsed 50  m off the beach at the very edge of the black and white flagged area.  Myself and fellow lifeguard Tim Puffa immediately went in to the sea on rescue boards to assist those in difficulty back to the shore., iIf we had not been there, there could have been serious consequences.’

 In another incident RNLI lifeguards performed lifesaving first aid.  RNLI lifeguards on routine patrol at Harlyn in North Cornwall gave immediate first aid to a 28 year old woman they found lapsing into unconsciousness at the waters edge in the black and white flagged area. No one had seen what had happened to the woman, but the lifeguards said she could have fallen over while trying to surf or been hit by a surfboard. After calling for ambulance back up, she was flown to the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske, by the air ambulance.

Wednesday 30th August 2006

RNLI Llifeguards at Harlyn in north Cornwall rescued a 6 year old boy, his Mother and her friend after he got swept 500 metres out to sea on an inflatable.

The family from Yealmpton in Devon were swimming at the southern end of Harlyn near Boat Bay when the 6 year old boy was swept out of his depth and around the coast towards Cataclews Point. His Mother, although not a strong swimmer, tried to swim out after him, followed by her friend.

 RNLI lifeguard, Calum Richards, 18, was the first to be alerted to the unfolding danger by a member of the public. He used his radio to contact his colleagues Alex Allen, 27, in his 4th season as a lifeguard and Steve Pawson, 25, an exchange lifeguard from Newcastle, Australia. Alex and Steve launched their Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) and went to their aid.

 When Alex and Steve reached them, the boy’s Mother was in severe difficulty. She was ‘climbing the ladder’; where a weak or non-swimmer is vertical in the water and using ineffective movements in a desperate bid to stay afloat. Alex and Steve made the decision to rescue her first as she was in most danger. They managed to shout to the little boy to keep hold of his inflatable and that they would come back for him.

 The lifeguards on the beach cared for the boy’s mother, who had swallowed a lot of water and was very short of breath, whilst Alex and Steve went back for the little boy. Mother and son were reunited on the beach whilst the RNLI lifeguards launched their boat for a third time to rescue the woman’s friend.

 Falmouth Coast Guard and St Merryn Volunteer Coast Guard were also aware of the incident. They radioed the Lifeguards to alert them, but they were already performing the rescue at that time.

 RNLI lifeguard, Calum Richards, said,
‘They were lucky that we could get to them so quickly. They were swimming a long way away from the Lifeguard area, so we only knew they were in danger when a member of the public told us. The boy’s mother was very frightened and exhausted when she got back to the beach, but she was very glad to have her little boy back. It just goes to show even towards the end of the season when everything gets quiet, you’ve got to stay alert.’

The RNLI lifeguards recommended the boy’s mother seek further medical advice as she swallowed and inhaled water, but the little boy and the family friend needed not further treatment.

Thursday 19th June 2006

RNLI lifeguards help rescue injured holiday maker with broken ankle

 RNLI lifeguards based at Treyarnon Bay and Constantine on the North Cornwall Coast have today (Thursday 29th June) helped co-ordinate the rescue of a 49 yr old woman after she slipped on rocks and broke her ankle. The Cornwall Air Ambulance and St Merryn Coastguard unit were also scrambled to help the visitor who was from Sutton Coldfield.

The woman was walking along the cliffs with her family between Treyarnon and Constantine when she slipped and suffered a suspected broken ankle. A member of the public alerted the RNLI lifeguards on duty at Treyarnon Bay. Steve Derry, Senior Lifeguard for the RNLI and a trainee doctor., contacted his colleagues at neighbouring Constantine and together they co-ordinated the helicopter rescue. 

 The Air Ambulance initially landed on Constantine Beach, but after assessing the situation and location, they took off again and relocated closer to the casualty. RNLI Lifeguard Area Manager for North Cornwall, Bobby Renaud said, “The RNLI Lifeguards worked extremely well as a team and helped co-ordinate this rescue from the ground. It is fantastic to see all their training being used to maximum effect. The pilot was very skilful in his manoeuvring of the helicopter, but if it had been windy, I’m sure it would have been a different situation.”