RNLI lifeguards rescue a boy from a rip current at Ingoldmells beach

At around 4.45pm RNLI lifeguards Tom Harrop and Tom Roberts spotted two people struggling in the water outside the red and yellow flags (the area in which it is safe to swim).

The charity’s lifeguards immediately sprang into action and swam into the sea with their rescue tubes (long flexible yellow tubes that people can grab onto). They found that one of the swimmers had managed to get to safety but the second remained trapped in the rip current.

As the swimmer was unable to break free, Tom Harrop wrapped his rescue tube around him and pulled him away from the force of the current.

The lifeguards then carried the boy to back the beach and performed a casualty care check. As he had swallowed a considerable amount of water, he was taken to hospital for a further check-up.

RNLI Lifeguard Tom Harrop, said: ‘The boy was in real trouble as he was unable to get free of the rip current and was rapidly becoming exhausted. Our swift intervention meant that we were able to prevent the situation from escalating into something far more serious. We’re really happy that we were there to help and we wish the boy a speedy recovery.

‘Our charity’s lifeguards always advise people to respect the water and to swim at a patrolled beach between the red and yellow flags. 95% of our role is preventative and we would urge visitors to come and chat to us if they have any questions about how to stay safe at the seaside.’

For more information and safety tips, please visit: www.RNLI.org/RespectTheWater

RNLI Picture caption

The photographs show RNLI lifeguards Tom Harrop and Tom Roberts. 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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