Donate now

Thanet and Swale RNLI Lifeguards have a busy start to the summer

Lifeguards News Release

Although better known for rescuing swimmers in trouble, RNLI lifeguards in Kent have hit the beach running this year with two medical incidents on dry land.

RNLI/Lucy Macgowan

Sam, one of the Thanet lifeguards

Late in the afternoon of 25 May, members of the public on Leysdown Beach alerted lifeguards there to a woman who became uncommunicative. After calling an ambulance, the team put their casualty care training into action and administered first aid until the woman began to respond, and they were able to hand her over to the care of ambulance service colleagues.

A week later on the beach at Ramsgate, another lifeguard team was told of a young boy who was feeling unwell. While they were conducting their initial checks, the young boy lost consciousness and the lifeguards applied oxygen as trained until he began to respond. Again, ambulance colleagues arrived and were able to take over care of the casualty.

Lucy-Jane MacGowan, RNLI Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for the Kent beaches, said, “Although fitness and swimming ability are core skills for lifeguards, we place great emphasis on casualty care during our pre-season training. Our lifeguards are often the first responders to those who become unwell on the beach, and if they’re able to reassure them, and to keep them stable until medical care arrives, they can save a life.

“I’m very proud of our lifeguards to have made such a difference to two people so early in the season. As we move into summer, we’d encourage everyone to visit a lifeguarded beach if at all possible, to swim between the flags, and to let the lifeguards know if they, or anyone else they see, is in trouble.”

Notes to editors

The attached photos show Sam and Maddie, RNLI lifeguards who operate in the Thanet area. Credit RNLI/Lucy Macgowan

RNLI 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]

RNLI/Lucy Macgowan

Maddie, one of the Thanet lifeguards

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, Twitter 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.