RNLI lifeguards provide medical assistance during Belhaven Bay surf competition

RNLI lifeguards Catriona and Kayleigh were at the competition to provide safety cover as well as promote lifeguarding as Scotland’s best summer job. The RNLI is still looking to take on more lifeguards to cover beaches in Fife and the Borders this summer.

At around 6:10pm the young surfer from Thurso was free surfing (surfing outside of the competition) with a few friends when he was caught out by a couple of waves and inhaled some water. His friends helped him to the shore where staff from Coast to Coast Surf School helped him away from the water’s edge and put him in the recovery position.

RNLI lifeguards assessed the casualty and determined that his condition was severe enough to require oxygen. Lifeguards administered oxygen from their response bag and monitored his condition until an ambulance arrived.

The young surfer was later back in good health and was on the beach the next day supporting those involved in the competition.

The RNLI is still recruiting for lifeguards to work on beaches in Fife and the Borders this summer. If you are interested to find out more please visit the website www.rnli.org/lifeguardjobs or contact RNLI Scotland Lifeguard Manager Tim Doran at [email protected].

VIDEO – http://rnli.org/Pages/Video-Details.aspx?VideoItemID=m6U1gee4

The RNLI are working in partnership with Scottish Borders and the Fife Coast Countryside Trust to provide lifeguard services.

Pictures

RNLI lifeguards Catriona (left) and Kayleigh (right) on the beach in Belhaven

The scene during the surf competition over the weekend

RNLI media contacts

Henry Weaver, RNLI Press Officer for Scotland, 01738 642986, 07771 943026, [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Public Relations Manager for Scotland, 01738 642956, 07786 668903, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

Notes to editors

The RNLI encourages anyone planning a trip to the beach to follow these top tips:

1. Wherever possible swim at a lifeguarded beach and always swim between the red and yellow flags.
2. Never use inflatables in strong winds or rough seas.
3. Check tide times before you go.
4. If you get into trouble, stick your hand in the air and shout for help.
5. If you see someone else in trouble, tell a lifeguard. If you can’t see a lifeguard, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

For more information visit www.rnli.org/beachsafety

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, 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.