Good weather keeps South Pembrokshire RNLI Lifeguards busy.
The combination of good weather and the begining of the school holidays has kept the RNLI's Lifeguards busy on the beaches over the last few weeks.
On 13th July at Tenby Castle beach lifeguards Ellie Wainwright and Matt Davie saved two lives by rescuing a father and 13 year old son on holiday from Wrexham, who had been swept out to sea in a fast moving rip current. Lifeguard Matt Davie paddled out on a rescue board to bring both the father and son safely back to the beach, where they were checked over by both lifeguards. The 13 year boy was later taken to hospital but given the all-clear the same night.
The same week lifeguard Amy Morgan and Billy Truman rescued two children at Pendine sands who’s inflatable had been blown out to sea at the end of the day at 5:55pm. Both children were brought back to the beach checked over and family given safety advice on how to use inflatables safely.
On Monday (30 July) lifeguards Kirk Lester and Chris Hughes did a double rescue at Freshwater West of two body boarders who had been swept out to sea in a fast moving rip current. The 2 lifeguards both took rescue boards out and pulled both casualties out of the water and brought them safely back to sea, checked over and safety advice was given.
Also on Monday, Lifeguards at Tenby Castle beach at 5:20pm treated a female casualty with suspected spinal injuries by immobilising her and providing pain relief whilst waiting for an ambulance in an incident which lasted the best part of 5 hours until just after 10pm. Coastguard and off-duty lifeboat crew also attended the scene and helped.
Adam Pitman, RNLI Supervisor for South Pembrokeshire said: 'On the whole this has been our busiest start to a summer season in South Pembrokeshire, no doubt due to the good weather. We have seen a large increase this year in having to rescue people on inflatables, please seek a lifeguards advice before using any inflatable on the beach and NEVER use an inflatable when the orange windsock is flying. We recommend that if you planning to head to the beach this summer, please go to a lifeguarded beach and always swim between the flags. Our RNLI Lifeguards are on the beaches daily from 10am until 6pm throughout the summer holidays'.
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.