Busy bank holiday Monday for Porthtowan RNLI lifeguards

At around 11:30 on Monday morning, RNLI lifeguards were alerted to a surfer with a suspected dislocated shoulder. The Cornwall Air Ambulance was tasked to assist and RNLI lifeguards Deshko Matthews and Ishmael Hamon assisted the paramedics in administering casualty care.

Just after dealing with this incident, RNLI lifeguards Sophrose London and Taylor Prisk were on patrol at the waters edge when they spotted a surfer quickly become caught in a very strong rip current around 200m from the shore.

They immediately launched the inshore rescue boat (IRB) and made their way over to the casualty. Once on scene, they found that the casualty had discarded his surf board and was attempting to swim against the current and back to shore. Sophrose and Taylor helped the exhausted surfer into the IRB and back to safety ashore.

Matthew Stone, RNLI lifeguard supervisor on duty at Porthtowan on Monday, said:

‘The RNLI lifeguard team managed a very busy beach on Monday and responded to two major incidents in a short period of time. The experienced and highly-skilled team perfumed their duties impeccably, allowing the public to stay safe during their visit to Porthtowan over the Bank Holiday.

We advise that you always visit a lifeguarded beach whilst at the coast and pay attention to the flags on display at the waters edge. If you do find yourself caught in a rip current, if you have a bodyboard or surfboard, hang onto it. It will not only keep you afloat, but also lift you out of the water so you are more visible to the lifeguards. Always wave one hand in the air and shout for help to attract the lifeguards’ attention.’

Notes to Editor

• RNLI lifeguards patrol over 249 beaches around the UK and Channel Islands

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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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.

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