New Brighton RNLI divert from training exercise to rescue person from the water
New Brighton RNLI divert from training exercise to rescue person from the water
Lifeboats News Release
Volunteer Crew from New Brighton, today at 1.01pm, Monday 21 September diverted from their scheduled training to rescue male in difficulty in the water near to New Brighton Lighthouse
New Brighton Lifeboat volunteers were conducting a planned training exercise today, Monday 21 September 2020.
Whilst the boat was in the water, the Lifeboat crew were tasked by UK coastguard at 1.01pm to a person in difficulty in the water near to New Brighton Lighthouse.
Luckily the lifeboat was training close to this location, diverted from their training exercise and quickly identified the casualty in the water. The casualty was recovered by the volunteer crew onto the lifeboat and transferred to New Brighton beach into the care of the waiting North West Ambulance Service and Merseyside Police patrols.
The crew were then able to debrief the incident and continue with their scheduled training.
Damian Cull, Deputy Launch Authority, New Brighton Lifeboat said ‘At the moment we have very large spring tides coupled with strong currents at New Brighton, this casualty was very lucky to have been seen by members of the public who raised the alarm. Especially at this time of year when you enter cold water unexpectedly it can makes you gasp uncontrollably and breathe in water, which can lead to drowning. Floating for up to 2 minutes allows the effects of cold water shock to pass. It enables you to regain control of your breathing and your survival chances will greatly increase. The RNLI call this method ‘Float to Live’ and I would thoroughly recommend practicing this technique.’
You can see a video on the float to live technique by visiting our RNLI YouTube page -
https://youtu.be/jIEw55a6dcw
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.
