RNLI lifeguards at Towan carry out successful CPR off the beach
RNLI lifeguards Timothy Fallowfield and Stuart Weatherley were on patrol at Towan beach in Newquay on Tuesday afternoon when they were alerted to a casualty off the beach who needed immediate CPR.
At around 2.30pm on Tuesday afternoon, the casualty was walking to the beach for a surf lesson when he dropped down suddenly and was unconscious and not breathing. The surf instructors immediately commenced chest compressions and contacted the Towan lifeguards.
RNLI lifeguards Tim Fallowfield and Stuart Weatherley ran to the scene, approximately 100 metres from the beach, carrying the crash bag and PPE and immediately placed the chest pads on the casualty. They used the defibrillator to give one initial shock and the casualty came around straight away and started breathing again.
The casualty was then transferred to the care of the paramedics where he was conscious and talking, and has fortunately now recovered.
Lewis Timson, Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for Newquay, said:
‘The lifeguards and surf instructors did an amazing job working together and quickly carrying out this successful CPR.
‘Our RNLI lifeguards are professionally trained in lifesaving and delivering casualty care, and they demonstrated how vital these skills are by helping to save this man’s life on Tuesday.’
Notes to editors
- Please find attached photos of RNLI lifeguards who attended the incident – Tim Fallowfield and Stuart Weatherley (Credit RNLI/Mark Priem)
- Follow the link to see which beaches are currently lifeguarded https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/beaches-with-lifeguards-on-patrol
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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 142,700 lives.
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