RNLI lifeguards at St Ouens rescue four people in difficulty in the water

​A member of the public alerted the lifeguards to three females and one male, who were surfing and swimming when they got caught in a big swell and backwash at high tide. RNLI lifeguards, along with a member of the public who was surfing at the time, went to their aid.

RNLI lifeguards Alex Vibert and Chantelle Coote picked up the male and one of the teenage girls on their rescue boards and paddled them over 1km to the nearest safety point.

Meanwhile a local bar manager who was surfing helped a third female on to the slipway. The other teenager was able to make it safely back to the shore.

All of the casualties were assessed by lifeguards once they were safely back on the beach. Fortunately, none of them needed any further treatment and the girls were reunited with their parents.

Senior RNLI lifeguard Alex said: ‘With Spring tides the water can move quicker than usual which can often catch people out. We want people to enjoy the beaches but we’d always advise that beachgoers swim and bathe at lifeguarded beaches during patrols hours which is 10-7pm in peak season.

‘Lifeguards mark out the safest areas to swim, which is between the red and yellow flags. If you are unsure about the conditions speak to the lifeguards on duty who can give you advice.’

The RNLI’s Respect the Water campaign is running throughout the summer. To find out more about the dangers of the coast and how to stay safe, visit www.rnli.org/respectthewater  or search #RespectTheWater on social media.

Notes to editors

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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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