Sefton lifeguards in RNLI’s new podcast to celebrate 25 years of lifeguarding
Crosby RNLI lifeguards feature in the second episode of the charity’s new podcast to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its beach lifeguards.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has launched a five-episode podcast to mark 25 years since the rollout of its lifeguarding service – featuring conversations with lifeguards, those who have been rescued and exploring how they have been making beaches safer since 2001.
The podcast, titled We Are Lifeguards, launched at the end of March which coincided with the lifeguards’ return to beaches around the UK. Crosby Beach in Merseyside, Liverpool has an operational RNLI beach lifeguard service 365 days a year, even on Christmas Day, with lifeguards always patrolling to keep beachgoers safe. In the second episode of
We are Lifeguards, titled Every Beach Has a Personality, we meet the lifeguards who operate on the unique Crosby Beach, the only year-round RNLI lifeguarded beach in the UK.
Within the episode we hear the realities of lifeguarding in the harshness of winter with former Crosby lifeguard Amy Teebay and current Crosby lifeguard Ben Peacock. Throughout the episode, Amy and Ben share the unique hazards at Crosby, such as it’s dangerous currents, a busy nearby shipping channel and the well-known Antony Gormley statues that can become hazardous submerged objects at high tide.
In the Sefton area, RNLI beach lifeguards have saved 23 lives and aided over 45,000 people since the service was rolled out in 2010. In the last 16 years, new figures show that Sefton lifeguards have dealt with a total of 773 casualty care related incidents, the leading number of first aid given by RNLI lifeguards across North West England.
Crosby Beach has been lifeguarded since 2010 and the lifeguards have aided over 14,000 people in that time. Andy Jordan, Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for the Sefton area said:
‘Our lifeguards at Crosby are a fantastic and dedicated team who work all year to help keep the public safe. There can be long, cold days in the winter – but the team are always there to inform the beach visitors with a smile of their face and they have wonderful camaraderie between the lifeguards.
‘The training the RNLI provides our lifeguards, prepares them for every eventuality and scenario they might be faced with. We’re looking forward to another busy season on the beaches across the North West, in what is a special anniversary year celebrating 25 years of RNLI lifeguarding.’
From Scotland to Jersey, the RNLI provides a lifeguard service at beaches around the UK and Channel Islands – and supports lifeguards internationally too. Each beach has its own character and challenges, and local knowledge is vital to lifeguards protecting their patch.
Whether it’s a quiet, remote beach or a beach packed full of people, RNLI lifeguards help keep the coast safer. And their lifesaving skills sometimes go further than sea and sand.
For the last 25 years, RNLI lifeguards have been making beaches safer across the UK. They share safety advice, provide first aid to those who need it and save the lives of those who get in trouble in the water.
During that time, they have made more than 48 million preventative actions, attended more than 330,000 incidents and aided more than 440,000 people on beaches around the UK and the Channel Islands.
Peter Dawes, General Manager of Lifeguard Operations, said: ‘Since our lifeguarding service began in 2001, we’ve seen more people visit our beaches and enjoying the water.
‘Our highly trained, capable and skilled lifeguards spend their time talking to people, sharing our safety advice and educating visitors about the dangers. As well as carrying out rescues and first aid.
‘The launch of this podcast not only marks our 25th anniversary, but also the return of lifeguards to beaches ahead of what will be another busy summer. If you are heading to the coast, be sure to choose a RNLI lifeguarded beach.’
You can listen to We Are Lifeguards at https://rnli.org/WeAreLifeguards or wherever you find your podcasts.
To find your nearest RNLI lifeguarded beach, visit https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Betsy Owen, Regional Communications Placement on 07483 485378 or [email protected]
Alternatively, for more information please telephone Ben Williets, RNLI Press Officer on 01202 641450 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.