Sussex RNLI lifeguards have a busy season
As the summer holidays continue, local lifeguards have been busy patrolling the beaches and continuing to save lives at sea.
Ninety-five percent of a lifeguard’s work is preventative, but safety advice doesn’t just apply to humans, as the lifeguards at Littlehampton East found out earlier this season.
On two separate occasions in the same day, lifeguard Hannah rushed to rescue two dogs trapped on the same shingle bank by the River Arun, one of the fastest running rivers in England. On the second occasion, the lifeguards launched their inshore rescue boat and the rescue board to try and reach the animal, but it managed to jump back onto the promenade without harming itself.
Hannah said, ‘It’s not often that we have two rescues in one day, much less identical ones! All of us train and work to make this the best lifesaving service it can be.
We’d always rather rescue a pet than see the owners risking their safety and we hope people will alert us or phone 999 and ask for the Coastguard if a human – or animal - life is at risk. At the end of the day, we want everyone to enjoy the beach and go home safely.’
Craig Maltby, Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for Chichester, says, ‘We are tremendously proud of the work our lifeguards have been doing this season, and with another spike in temperature expected this weekend, no doubt their work will continue.
It’s important to remember safety messages whilst at the beach to ensure you have a fun and safe Bank Holiday weekend. Swim at a lifeguarded beach between the red and yellow flags, wear sun cream and protective clothing, and please don’t bring inflatables to the beach, particularly when the orange windsock is flying.’
Media contacts
For more information, or for interview requests, contact Julie Rainey, Regional Media Manager for London and the south east, on 07827 358 256 / [email protected] , Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer on 07785 296 252 or [email protected] or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 / [email protected]
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.
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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.