RNLI lifeguards team up to rescue body boarder at Woolacombe
RNLI lifeguards team up to rescue body boarder at Woolacombe
RNLI lifeguards at Woolacombe came together as a team to help rescue a body boarder who dislocated her shoulder.
The woman received the injury whilst body boarding at the beach at 11.40am on Tuesday 12 July. In pain and being thrown around amongst the surf, the casualty attempted to swim further out to avoid the waves that were causing her more difficulty.
RNLI lifeguard Niall Desy spotted the body boarder in trouble whilst carrying out routine training in the water on a rescue board
Niall paddled over to her and signalled for extra assistance to get her back to shore safely. The inshore rescue boat (IRB) was launched with two more lifeguards on hand to help the casualty in to the boat.
The woman was suffering from the cold and was in a lot of pain by the time the lifeguards reached the beach. Several lifeguards administered first aid and helped the casualty out of the boat to the lifeguard unit.
Matt Whitley, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor, said: ‘All the lifeguards who were involved in this first aid incident worked really well as a team. RNLI lifeguards are trained in casualty care for a situation like this and dealt with it quickly and professionally. We all wish the casualty a speedy recovery.
‘If you ever need help in the water, raise your arm so that a lifeguard can come to your assistance. You can also shout for help, but always keep calm and don’t panic in such situations.’
The woman returned to the beach to thank the lifeguards with a card and treats.
Notes to editors
The video can be downloaded here http://rnli.org/Pages/Video-Details.aspx?VideoItemID=GJIDuIve
Media Contacts
For further information, please contact either Aysha Bryant, RNLI Communications Student Placement, on 01752 854479 or [email protected] or Chloe Smith, RNLI Press Officer, on 07920 818807 or email [email protected]
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.