RNLI lifeguards in the North West have aided over 71,000 people

In the North West, the RNLI lifeguard service was first rolled out in Sefton in 2010, then on the Wirral in 2015. Since then, the charity’s lifeguards have saved 42 lives, aiding 71,544 people through water rescue, returning lost children and delivering first aid and casualty care. They have responded to 12,143 incidents and carried out more than two million preventative actions.

Lucy Tilson Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for Wirral and Denbighshire began her career as an RNLI lifeguard in 2018. She progressed to senior lifeguard and season supervisor before securing her current position in 2022.

‘I was drawn to beach lifeguarding because I love being active outdoors and wanted a role where I could make a difference by helping people stay safe. It is amazing to think about how many people we have aided since the service began in the North West 16 years ago. I’m incredibly proud of all our team.

‘The service began in Sefton which is home to a unique RNLI beach – the only one patrolled 365 days a year, Crosby beach. While it’s here where it all began, it’s been fantastic to see the service grow across the North West to now cover the six beaches on the Wirral and four in Sefton.

‘The fundamentals of lifeguarding are still the same as they were when I first joined, however we are now a much more proactive service. Our well 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.’

Year on year the RNLI’s lifeguard service has grown through working closely with partners with over 245 beaches across the UK and Channel Islands being patrolled, meaning it’s the largest lifeguard service provider in the UK.

This Easter holiday, the RNLI lifeguards are preparing to return to beaches in the 25th anniversary season, by training and honing their skills. This involves completing fitness tests, practising on rescue boards, jet skis and quad bikes, as well as casualty care first aid training.

RNLI lifeguards will be returning to the following North West beaches for the Easter holiday:

Wirral

West Kirby – 28 March, until 12 April followed by a weekend service

Moreton – 28 March until 12 April followed by a weekend service.

Harrison Drive - 28 March until 12 April followed by weekend service

The Plateaux – 28 March until 12 April followed by a weekend service.

New Brighton (Perch Rock) 28 March until 12 April – followed by a weekend service.

Sefton

Formby – 28 March – 12 April

Crosby – 365 days a year

Ainsdale – 28 March – 12 Apri

Southport – 28 March – 12 April

Back in 2001, the charity took action when stark figures showed 200 lives were lost on UK beaches. Lifesaving clubs were already patrolling but not on the scale required, the RNLI wanted to provide a solution and established a co-ordinated rescue service. Working with lifesaving clubs and beach owners, the RNLI piloted lifeguarded beaches in south-west England and the results spoke for themselves as 20 lives were saved in the first year.

It led to an official service being formed and advancement in the equipment and training available to lifeguards. Safety literature information and warning signs were also developed for beaches so visitors knew what dangers they may encounter and how to keep themselves safe.

Peter Dawes, RNLI Lifeguard General Manager, said:

‘Thanks to RNLI lifeguards our beaches are safer places, so we can enjoy our time at the coast and return home safely at the end of the day. Around 95% of a lifeguard’s work is prevention. They keep beachgoers safe by educating them about water safety and spotting the dangers before accidents happen.

‘RNLI lifeguards past and present have kept millions of beach visitors safe over the past 25 years and will continue to do so for years to come. If you are planning a visit to the coast this summer, please remember to visit a lifeguarded beach.’

From beach safety and prevention to rescuing those in the water and delivering casualty care RNLI lifeguards are prepared to deal with any situation they might face. Since 2001, RNLI lifeguards have saved 2,165 lives, aided 459,354 people through water rescue, returning lost children and delivering first aid and casualty care. They have responded to 333, 330 incidents and carried out more than 48M preventative actions.

If you are heading to the coast this Easter, head to a lifeguarded beach if possible. Your nearest RNLI lifeguarded beach can be found here - https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches.

The RNLI is urging anyone visiting the coast this summer to make sure they keep themselves and their families safe by being water smart and following their beach safety advice.

· Visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.

· Check the weather forecast, tide times and read local hazard signage to understand local risks.

· For activities like paddleboarding or kayaking we recommend you wear a wetsuit, buoyancy aid or lifejacket and carry a means of calling for help in a waterproof pouch and keep it on you. Tell someone what you are doing, where you are going and when you expect to return.

· If you are going open water swimming, use a wetsuit to keep you warm, wear a bright coloured swim hat and take a tow float to store personal items including a phone for emergencies.

· If you fall into the water unexpectedly, FLOAT TO LIVE. Fight your instinct to thrash around, lean back, extend your arms and legs, and Float.

· In an emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

ENDS

Media Opportunity: The media are invited to watch essential training on the beach as North West lifeguards prepare to return to service this weekend. There will be an opportunity to interview representatives from the RNLI lifeguarding team in the North West as the charity marks 25 years of lifeguarding.

When: 25 March 2025 at 10.30am at Harrison Drive, New Brighton.

Notes to editor

· Pilot beaches in 2001 were in Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth, Caradon and Restormel.

· In the first year alone, lifeguards aided 2,801 people and saved 20 lives.

· A preventative action by RNLI lifeguards is any proactive intervention they take to stop an incident from developing before it becomes dangerous.

· This usually means actions such as:

- Advising swimmers to move away from a rip current, rocks, or a hazardous area.

- Asking water users (e.g. paddleboarders, surfers) to reposition for their safety.

- Providing information about changing tides, weather conditions, or beach hazards.

- Redirecting people to the designated bathing zone.

- Stopping unsafe behaviour early—before it escalates into a rescue situation.

Media Contacts

For further information contact Regional Communications Lead Danielle Rush on 07786 668829 or [email protected]

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.