RNLI lifeguards at Roker aid a 91-year-old suffering from a suspected stroke
Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeguards helped a 91-year-old lady who was suffering from a suspected stroke today (Wednesday 24 August).
A quick thinking member of the public approached the charity’s lifeguards at around 11.00am to let them know that a pensioner was in distress on the promenade near the amusement arcades.
RNLI lifeguards Alex Hall and James Corner immediately attended the scene with their medical trauma bag.
The lady was sitting on a bench with her daughter and had thankfully regained consciousness when the charity’s lifeguards arrived.
Owing to the serious nature of the pensioner’s condition, Senior RNLI Lifeguard Cosmin Petcu, was also called to the scene.
After performing a casualty care assessment, the team administered oxygen and placed lady into the recovery position. They carefully monitored her condition and kept her stable until paramedics arrived.
She was then carried by stretcher to an ambulance by the lifeguards and paramedics.
Fellow RNLI lifeguards from nearby Cats and Dogs beach helped to maintain lifeguard cover at Roker while their colleagues were attending the incident.
Senior RNLI Lifeguard, Cosmin Petcu, said: ‘The elderly lady had been enjoying an ice cream with her daughter on the promenade when she suffered the medical emergency and lost consciousness.
‘We were informed that she had a history of heart problems and after performing a casualty care assessment the signs indicated that she’d suffered a stroke. We immediately administered the appropriate treatment and kept her stable until the ambulance arrived.
‘All of our charity’s lifeguards receive comprehensive first aid training and this training can make all the difference in situations like this.’
Cosmin added: ‘I’d like to thank the member of the public whose swift actions alerted us to the woman’s plight, the paramedics who attended the scene so quickly and fellow lifeguards from Cats and Dogs beach, who stepped in to offer cover. It was a real team effort today and we all wish the lady a quick recovery.’
RNLI Picture caption
The photograph shows RNLI lifeguards (from left to right) Phill Johnson, Cosmin Petcu, James Corner and Alex Hall. Credit: RNLI.
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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.
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