RNLI lifeguards have busy day at Longsands beach

The charity’s lifeguards dealt with a number of incidents across the day and extended operating hours due to the volume of people using the beach. A number of inflatables were blown out to sea which were retrieved by the lifeguards, thankfully no one was on the inflatables as they blew out to sea. 11 children got separated for their parents and were reunited.

Lifeguard Isaac Noble assisted two 10 year old girls who got into difficulty whilst using paddleboards. Isaac paddled out to the young girls and assisted them back to shore where other lifeguards were waiting to assess the girls who were tired but otherwise in good condition.

Two major incidents also occurred on the beach which lifeguarded handled. A woman collapsed on the beach and was assisted by lifeguards Isaac and Georgina Rogers. They assessed the situation and assisted the woman until she was well enough to return to her day.

Lifeguards are scheduled 10am-6pm but due to the volume of people they extended their operating hours. At 6pm another woman collapsed on the beach and had difficulty breathing. The lifeguards assisted the woman until the ambulance arrived and took over care.

RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor Sean Mills said: ‘This week has been extremely busy due to the high temperatures. Our lifeguards have been working extremely hard to keep everyone safe. These incidents are great examples of why it is important to enjoy the water at a lifeguarded beach. The outcome for some of these situations could have been very different if our lifeguards hadn’t been on shift.

‘At this time we would like to remind everyone to always enjoy the water between the red and yellow flags as this is the safest place to enjoy the water. It’s also important you don’t bring inflatables that are widely available in shops and supermarkets down to the beach as they are very unpredictable and are easily swept out to sea.’

• As RNLI lifeguards need to be physically on the beach during the patrolled hours, ready to respond to emergencies and prevent accidents, the RNLI can’t rely on volunteers to provide this cover seven days a week. Local authorities part fund the RNLI’s costs, which helps to meet the cost of lifeguard wages.

RNLI Media Contacts

For more information contact:

Kate Driver, RNLI Regional Media Engagement on 07486872956 or email at [email protected]

Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Media Officer on 07824518641 or email at [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.