Quick thinking RNLI lifeguard rescues woman on Sandbanks beach
An RNLI beach lifeguard leapt into action when he spotted a woman in distress clinging to a metal post in the water
Ian Campbell Reid, who is a casual lifeguard and full time firefighter, was looking through his binoculars when he saw the lady three rock groynes west of the lifeguard patrol.
Ian immediately ran towards her and carried out a risk assessment of the situation. He was able to enter the water and use a rescue tube to bring the casualty to shore.
By this point fellow RNLI lifeguard Matias Casabal was waiting for them on the shoreline with a responder bag in case the casualty required immediate first aid. The casualty had sustained cuts to the back of her legs from the sharp rocks and so was brought back to the lifeguard tower to rest and recover.
Lara Bruce, Lifeguard Supervisor, said:
"This was a great response from Ian, he did exactly what all our lifeguards are trained to do. He remained calm and took quick decisive action to get the casualty out of the water.
“This area close to Poole harbour has strong tidal movement and so we would advise to choose a lifeguarded beach and always swim between the red and yellow flags, which have been marked based on where is safer to swim in the current conditions. This also helps you to be spotted more easily, should you get into difficulty.”
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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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