RNLI Sutton-On-Sea lifeguards perform essential first aid

At around 4pm, Lead Lifeguard Supervisor Arun Gray was visiting the usually quiet Sutton-On-Sea beach to check on his lifeguard team. During his visit, he noticed a dog running around rather erratically, which drew his attention to a woman who had collapsed on the promenade.

The RNLI Sutton-On-Sea team immediately attended the unconscious woman, who was just under 20m away from the lifeguard unit. Arun Gray brought over the response bag and began administering casualty care whilst lifeguard Arthur Jackson rung an ambulance.

The woman, who was in her late 40s, had dropped her phone when she had collapsed; luckily, the woman had written a note on her phone detailing her medical conditions. During the casualty’s seizure, Arun and lifeguard Ethan Scott continued administering oxygen and supporting her airways.

Shortly after the ambulance arrived and took over the medical care.

During the incident, the woman had dropped her dog’s lead so Arthur collected the dog and sat with him to calm him down. When the woman regained consciousness, she was pleased to see her dog sitting next to her. The dog then travelled along with the woman in the ambulance.

Lead Lifeguard Supervisor Arun Gray congratulated his team’s medical knowledge: ‘The Sutton-On-Sea team acted calmly and efficiently making sure the woman received essential medical care before the ambulance arrived.

'It was great that the lady decided to take her dog to one of our lifeguarded beaches – as soon as she was in trouble, we were able to help her and look after the dog.

'If you are planning to visit a beach this summer, please choose an RNLI lifeguarded beach, where one of our lifeguard teams will be on hand should you come into any trouble.'

For more information please visit:

https://rnli.org/safety/beach-safety

Notes to editors

RNLI Sutton-On-Sea lifeguard service has been operating since 2001. To learn more about the lifeguarded beach go to: Sutton-on-Sea Beach - Lifeguarded beaches (rnli.org)

Lead Lifeguard Supervisor Arun Gray is available for interview.

Photo Credit

RNLI/Derry Salter

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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 146,000 lives.

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