Prestatyn Lifeguards respond to teenagers in trouble on inflatable
Prestatyn Lifeguards respond to teenagers in trouble on inflatable
Lifeguards News Release
RNLI lifeguards put up the orange windsock on Thursday 25 July to signal that no inflatables should be used in the water, as offshore winds made it an unsafe activity.
RNLI/Nathan Williams
Stock Image of the red and yellow flags used at lifeguarded beaches
In the early afternoon of Thursday 25 July an RNLI lifeguard spotted two female teenagers drifting out to sea on an inflatable around 50 metres from the water’s edge. The teenagers were in between the red and yellow flags, but as the orange windsock was flying, it was not advised for inflatables to be taken into the water.
Although the skies were clear and sunny, the offshore winds meant that sea was unsafe for inflatables, which could be quickly taken out to sea.
Lifeguard Maria Gibney went on the rescue board out to the teenagers and as she arrived at the scene, one of the females fell off the inflatable and into the sea. Maria Gibney and Ben Lewis assisted the two teenagers to the safety of the beach.
The lifeguards used their casualty care training to assess the pair, and both were in good health and did not require further medical attention.
Lifeguard Supervisor for Denbighshire Max Evans said, ‘It’s important to be aware of the flags displayed at lifeguarded beaches, as lifeguards change them throughout the day in response to the sea and weather conditions. If you are ever unsure about anything or want some advice on beach safety, don’t hesitate to speak to a lifeguard.’
The lifeguards on Prestatyn beach also responded to two major first aid incidents on Thursday, where they used their casualty care training before transferring the casualties to the care of paramedics.
The RNLI lifeguards patrolling Prestatyn beach were giving the public advice on sea safety throughout the day, as up to 95% of a lifeguards work is preventative.
RNLI lifeguards provide a safe environment on the beach and encourage safe behaviour so that visitors can enjoy their day and return home safely. RNLI lifeguards patrol 240 beaches around the UK and Channel Islands each summer, and you can find your nearest here:
https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches
Media contact:
Katie Lewis, Media Engagement Placement Wales and West at [email protected] or alternatively Eleri Roberts, Media Engagement Officer on 07771941390 or at [email protected]
Notes for editors:
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.
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.
