Swimmer rescued by RNLI lifeguards after getting caught in a rip current

Lifeguards Cameron Wickins and Vinny Prescott were carrying out routine patrols on Saturday 23 July in their inshore rescue boat (IRB) at around 2pm when they noticed the swimmer struggling.

The man had drifted outside of the red and yellow flags and was out of his depth when he got caught in a rip current.

Lifeguard Cameron Wickins said: ‘We had been advising body boarders who had been drifting out quite far about the safest place to be when we noticed a tired looking swimmer in the rip current. He was struggling to get back into shore and did the right thing and signalled to us by waving one arm in the air. We got to him quickly in the IRB and pulled him to safety. He was shattered, but very thankful we were there to help him.’

The lifeguards returned the unharmed man to the beach and continued with their patrols.

Senior Lifeguard Vincent Prescott added: ‘At Constantine at low tide and high tide strong rip currents can form, which is why we always advise people to swim between the red and yellow flags and not out too far. It’s peak season now and the beach is getting busy with locals and visitors. This kind of incident highlights how important it is to choose a lifeguarded beach. As RNLI lifeguards we are always happy to advise people about the local hazards at each beach. People can easily get out of their depth without realising it. It was a busy day and there were several other swimmers and body boarders who were rescued by lifeguards using the rescue board.’

In the UK, the majority of RNLI lifeguard incidents involve rip currents. They are a major cause of accidental drowning on beaches all across the world.

The best way to avoid rip currents is 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 something go wrong.

If you’re caught in a rip current, the RNLI’s advice is to:

· Stay calm

· Float on your back to regulate your breathing until you can swim to shore or call for help

· If you can stand, wade, don’t swim

· Keep hold of your board or inflatable to help you float

· Raise your hand and shout for help

· Never try to swim directly against the rip or you'll get exhausted

· Swim parallel to the beach until free of the rip, then make for shore

For more RNLI safety advice visit RNLI.org/RespectTheWater

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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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