Berwick-upon-Tweed RNLI rescue man after he jumps in sea to save his dog

The RNLI’s plea is to ‘Respect the Water’,

HM Coastguard paged Berwick RNLI to launch the inshore lifeboat immediately again on Friday 16 February at 4.15pm after receiving a call that a young man was struggling in the water off Berwick Pier after jumping into the sea to save his dog.

This was the first real rescue for another of Berwick RNLI's newly recruited crew members, 22-year-old Jack Laing, who had only completed his training in December 2017.

Jack said: 'There was no time to think, really; everything happened so fast, it was a case of getting changed into our personal protective equipment while the launch crew got the boat ready and into the water. Then we took off. I had instruction from the Helmsman, Robert Frost, who had helped train me and suddenly everything I had learnt fell into place.

'We were quickly able to locate the casualty due to the people on the pier shouting and waving, directing us to where he was. I was so grateful we had made it in time as it could have been a totally different outcome had we taken any longer.'

The casualty was brought on board and taken back to Berwick lifeboat station to waiting Northumbria Ambulance Service paramedics who treated the man for cold water shock.

In the meantime, HM Coastguard had despatched their crew to the Spittal beach across the other side of the estuary and had managed safely to retrieve the dog. The spaniel was taken into the lifeboat station where it was dried off and warmed up, before being handed over to another family member.

Head Coxswain Ali Laing, Jack’s father, who has served as a volunteer with the RNLI for 30 years said: 'This, for Jack, was another lesson in how easily and quickly someone can come close to losing their life. Well done on your first real rescue. I'm proud of you, son.

'It can be very tempting for dog walkers to enter the water to attempt to rescue their beloved animals, but by doing so they can put themselves in serious danger.

'We would encourage any dog walker, if their animal gets into difficulty on or near the sea, to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. The RNLI will attend, not just to a person but to any animal in distress. Please make that call.’

The RNLI wants to remind those on the coast and by rivers to RESPECT the WATER. Cold water shock is a significant danger; the seas around our coast are at low enough temperatures all year round to trigger cold water shock.

The RNLI is calling on the public to fight their instincts and remember one simple skill – floating – that could save lives from drowning.

The RNLI’s national drowning prevention campaign Respect the Water charity is calling on the public to fight their instincts and remember one core survival skill – floating, until the effects of cold water shock pass and you can catch your breath, before then trying to swim to safety or call for help.

Cold water survival expert Professor Mike Tipton explains: ‘We often rely on our instincts but our instinctive response to sudden immersion in cold water – gasping, thrashing and swimming hard – is potentially a killer. It increases chances of water entering your lungs, increases the strain on your heart, cools the skin further and helps air escape from any clothing, which then reduces buoyancy.

‘Although it’s counter-intuitive, the best immediate course of action in that situation is to fight your instinct and try to float or rest, just for a short time. The effects of cold water shock will pass quite quickly, within 60–90 seconds. Floating for this short time will let you regain control of your breathing and your survival chances will greatly increase.

‘Floating is not an easy skill in cold open water but most people can float, and the air trapped in their clothes as they fall in should make it easier. As little exercise as necessary can be undertaken to help stay afloat. The recommended floating position is to lean back in the water and keep your airway clear. Keeping calm will help maintain buoyancy. Some people find it helpful to gently scull with their hands and kick their feet to keep afloat. The main principle is to do as little as possible until you have control of your breathing. At this point you have a much better chance of avoiding drowning and surviving until you can swim to safety, call for help, or continuing to float until help arrives.’

Current drowning figures show a clear gender divide, with men accounting for over two-thirds of those who die. So, while this campaign will be seen by millions, we are specifically targeting men - particularly those aged between 16 and 39 years, who are more likely to take risks.

Go online and follow the RNLI ACTIVITY AND HAZARD-SPECIFIC MESSAGES.

The website provides specific safety advice and support on what to do to keep yourself and others safe around water. Visit RNLI.org/RespectTheWater

We want to direct people to the website to learn more about how to stay safe at the beach, near open water and on the water.

RNLI Media contacts

For more information please telephone Hazel Bettison, Berwick RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07944757578 or Brian Cowan, Berwick RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, on 07962003238.

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 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok 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.