RNLI lifeguards resuscitate collapsed man by Weymouth beach
RNLI lifeguards who resuscitated a man found unconscious and not breathing on the pavement outside of the Royal Hotel on Weymouth seafront have been praised for their efforts.
The charity’s lifeguards were alerted by a local security guard at 1743 on Tuesday 29 August to a man who had collapsed on the pavement across the road from the lifeguard tower at Weymouth beach.
Senior Lifeguard Barney Hedgecock and Lifeguard Dominik Fajkiel responded, and were on scene shortly after the local Bicycle Paramedic. The lifeguards took with them first aid equipment including the automated external defibrillator.
Lifeguards found the collapsed man, 34, on the pavement with a member of public already performing chest compressions whilst the Bicycle Paramedic managed the casualties airway.
Barney and Dom, who are fully first aid trained, took over with compressions, and prepared the AED and oxygen. Senior Lifeguard Barney then swapped with Lifeguard Emily Nineham so he could then direct Lifeguards Ed Sadler, Josh Westlake and Ryan Flaherty to clear an area on the beach ready for the Air Ambulance to land. Working together with paramedics Dom and Emily carried out resuscitation, and the man’s heart started beating again at 1803. He was stabilised by the air ambulance critical care team before being transferred to the aircraft and taken to hospital.
During this time the lifeguards had also been joined by Wyke Coastguard team who were able to help keep the beach clear for the air ambulance to take off with the casualty at 1825.
RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor, Joe Selby, said:
‘We were all glad to be able to help this man and we really hope he makes a full and speedy recovery.
‘The lifeguards involved in this incident used all their training in what was a serious situation. They provided an immediate and crucial response working as a team and alongside other emergency services
‘As well as being able to respond to water emergencies, our lifeguards are casualty care trained to a high standard and can provide lifesaving treatment in and around the beach environment. We would always encourage people to come to the lifeguard units on our beaches and ask for help if they see anyone in need of assistance on or near the beach.’
Ends
Notes to editors:
The attached pictures is a stock image of an RNLI lifeguard in action. Credit RNLI.
For more information please contact Oliver Wrynne-Simpson, RNLI Public Relations Officer, on 01202 336789 or 07795127351 or by email on [email protected]
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.
The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.
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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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