Pembrokeshire RNLI lifeguards get card and donation from rescued woman

The incident happened on Amroth beach, near Tenby, on Monday afternoon (11 July) when members of the woman’s family came to alert lifeguards that she was having an allergic reaction.

Soon her condition had deteriorated into sever anaphylaxis and she was suffering seizures and vomiting and moving in and out of consciousness.

RNLI senior lifeguard Matt Davie and lifeguard Imogen Williams immediately called for an ambulance and began treatment on the beach.

The lifeguards administered emergency first aid, reassured the casualty and her family and maintained her airway until the ambulance arrived to take her to hospital for further treatment.

Thankfully the woman made a full recovery and was released from hospital later that day and yesterday (Thursday 14 July) she sprung a surprise on Matt while he was on water’s edge patrol lifeguarding at Tenby South Beach.

The lady and her husband had tracked him down to hand over a thank you card and a £50 donation to the RNLI charity.

The card said: ‘It was a real comfort to know what good hands I was in – the calm way you took control of the situation, the way you told me what was happening all throughout gave me confidence that I could keep breathing until the ambulance arrived. I can’t believe how lucky I was for this to have happened right next to you.’

Matt said: ‘We don’t help people on the beaches to get recognition, but it was lovely to receive this card and we’re so grateful for the kind donation to the RNLI charity too.’

Lifeguard supervisor Adam Pitman said: ‘This was a severe case of anaphylaxis and our lifeguards did a fantastic job of administering emergency first aid to the casualty until the ambulance arrived. I’d like to praise Matt and Imogen for how they handled this situation.

‘Our lifeguards receive comprehensive first aid training and carry a range of first aid equipment on the beaches, so anyone in need of assistance should contact the lifeguards immediately.’

With the summer holidays beginning next week, RNLI lifeguards will be entering their busiest period.

Lifeguards in Pembrokeshire will be providing a daily safety service between 10am and 6pm throughout the summer on Amroth, Saundersfoot, Tenby North, Tenby South, Tenby Castle, Freshwater West, Broad Haven, Nolton Haven, Newgale, Whitesands, Newport and Poppit Sands beaches.

Adam added: ‘We would encourage anyone visiting the coast this summer to always visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags. Our lifeguards are approachable and happy to help so anyone with queries or in need of assistance should not hesitate to contact them.’

Notes to editors:

The attached picture shows RNLI lifeguard Matt Davie with the thank you card. Credit RNLI

For more information please contact Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer, Wales and West, on 01745 585162 or 07748 265496 or by email on [email protected]. Alternatively call the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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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 142,700 lives.

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