RNLI Lifeguards to return to Kent beaches

Clad in their distinctive red and yellow uniforms, the lifeguards, who receive world class training and equipment, began patrols at twelve of the county’s most popular beaches last weekend. (27 May).

The RNLI lifeguards, who are taught a variety of life-saving techniques and advanced first aid skills, will be providing a vital service on the county’s beaches until Sunday 3 September.

Beaches at Botany Bay, Joss Bay, Broadstairs (Viking Bay) and Margate (main sands), will have a full-time lifeguard service, provided by the RNLI, seven days a week (10am – 6pm) from Saturday 27 May to Sunday 3 September.

Ramsgate (main sands), Stone Bay, Westbrook, St Mildreds, West Bay and Minnis Bay beaches in Thanet will have lifeguards in place at weekends and bank holidays from Saturday 27 May to Friday 7 July (10am – 6pm) and then for the peak season the lifeguards will be on the beaches seven days a week from Saturday 8 July to Sunday 3 September (10am – 6pm).

Sheerness and Leysdown beaches in Swale will see lifeguards on patrol at weekends and bank holidays from Saturday 27 May to Friday 7 July (10am – 6pm) and will then provide full time cover seven days a week from Saturday 8 July to Sunday 3 September (10am – 6pm). Minster beach in Swale will receive RNLI lifeguard cover for the peak season only from Saturday 8 July to Sunday 3 September.

‘Our lifeguards have undergone intensive training to ensure people enjoying the county’s beaches this summer stay as safe as possible,’ said RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager James Uren.

‘They have a detailed knowledge of the local risks and hazards at each of the beaches they patrol and the RNLI provides them with a variety of rescue equipment which is suited to the particular conditions at each of our beaches.’

‘As well as all-terrain vehicles and rescue watercraft, the lifeguards are also equipped with rescue boards, which are based on a surfboard and are a lifeguard’s primary rescue tool. Most rescues are carried out within 100 metres of the shore and this can be the quickest way to respond in most conditions’ he added.

Lifeguards are also kitted out with rescue tubes which can be wrapped around a casualty and are particularly useful for conditions close to rocks and man-made structures such as cliffs and piers. RNLI lifeguards also carry casualty care bags enabling them to respond quickly and effectively to a wide range of illnesses and injuries which can occur on the beach. This kit allows them to act as First Responders for the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SEACAMB).

In 2016, RNLI lifeguards on 227 beaches around the UK dealt with 17,414 incidents and helped 20,538 people. Incidents ranged from slips, trips and stings to more serious water rescues. In total they saved 127 lives..

Photo caption: RNLI lifeguards return to the Kent beaches.

Ends

RNLI media contact

• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East)
  0207 6207426 / 07785 296252 / [email protected]
• Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) 0207 6207416 07786 668825 [email protected]
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.

Key facts about the RNLI

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 237 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 180 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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 or by email.

The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland.

Key facts about the RNLI

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.