RNLI lifeguards rescue two teenage swimmers at King Edward’s Bay

RNLI lifeguard Paul Reeve was patrolling the beach on Wednesday (3 August) when he spotted two girls struggling in the sea outside the red and yellow flags (the safe area in which to swim) at around 12.55pm.

He immediately grabbed his rescue board and swam out to help. The teenagers were in difficultly 100 metres off the shore towards the south end of the bay.

Paul found the two girls in a state of exhaustion, as they had been swimming against the rip current. He managed to rescue them onto his board and pulled them away from the rip.

Fellow lifeguard Will Hogg joined the rescue and towed one of the girls to safety using a rescue tube (a long flexible tube that people can grab onto).

Once the casualties were back on the beach the charity’s lifeguards performed a casualty care check and found that the teenagers (both aged around 14) were free from injury but very tired following their ordeal.

The girls were given some friendly safety advice before receiving the all-clear.

RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor Sandy Kerr, said: ‘Both lifeguards did a fantastic job and acted swiftly whilst maintaining a cool head. If they hadn’t been there keeping watch the story may not have had such a happy outcome.’

Sandy added: ‘Rips are strong currents running out to sea, which can take even the most experienced of swimmers from the shallows out of their depth. If you find yourself caught in a rip raise your hand and shout for help.

‘Never try to swim directly against the rip or you’ll get exhausted, swim parallel to the beach. The best advice is to visit a lifeguarded beach and to always swim between the red and yellow flags.’
For further sea safety advice, please visit: RNLI.org/RespectTheWater

RNLI Picture caption
The photograph shows RNLI lifeguards Will Hogg (left) and Paul Reeve (right). Credit: RNLI.

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