RNLI Mablethorpe lifeguard rescues young boy from rip

At around 12pm, RNLI lifeguard Thomas Capes was patrolling the beach at Mablethorpe when he spotted a small boy struggling in the water. The child had drifted out of his depth and into deep water, where a rip current had appeared.

Thomas immediately entered the sea as the boy was struggling to keep his head above the water. The charity’s lifeguard used the rescue tube to keep the boy afloat until he was calm, and then returned him safely to shore.

The Mablethorpe team administered numerous medical checks, however the boy did not sustain any injuries and did not require any further medical attention.

Lead Lifeguard Supervisor Arun Gray warned about the dangers of rip currents: ‘The young boy’s parents should be proud that he followed our safety advice. He did not try and swim against the current, which would have quickly exhausted him.

'Instead, he waited for one of our lifeguards to rescue him. It was lucky that he chose to swim at a lifeguarded beach between the red and yellow flags as Thomas was immediately on the scene to help him.’

If you find yourself stuck in a rip current, follow our Float to Live advice:

· Fight your instinct the thrash around

· Lean back, extend your arms and legs

· If you need to gently move them around to help you float

· Float until you can control your breathing

· Only then call for help or swim to safety

For more information please visit: https://rnli.org/safety/know-the-risks/rip-currents

Notes to editors

RNLI Mablethorpe lifeguard service has been operating since 2001. To learn more about the lifeguarded beach go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches/mablethorpe-beach

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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