Cayton Bay RNLI lifeguards save three lives

At around 2:30pm, Lifeguard Bryan Hogg was patrolling the water when he noticed two surfers trapped in a rip current on the south side of the red and yellow flags. Bryan assisted the two casualties back to shore by swimming around the rip.

However, at the same time fellow lifeguard Dom Morris witnessed three swimmers on the north side of the red and yellow flags get trapped in a flash rip. The group were swept beyond standing depth with the surf continuing to break around them as they attempted to fight the current.

Dom radioed for another member of the Cayton Bay team, Edward Broadbent, who immediately dropped the red and yellow flags. The duo ran down the beach, which was 300m north of their position and entered the water as the one of the three swimmers nearly went under.

In the meantime, a nearby surfger provided support to the swimmers by helping them stay afloat among the waves whilst the lifeguards raced towards them. When the charity’s lifeguards reached them, they discovered two bodyboarders had also become trapped in the rip current. Dom and Edward returned all five casualties to shore on the rescue boards.

Lead Lifeguard Supervisor Andrew Hogg waited on the beach to assist Dom Morris with bringing a medical bag to the five casualties. The group underwent a series of first aid checks as one had swallowed a significant amount of water. Luckily, none of the five required any further medical assistance.

Lead lifeguard Supervisor Andrew Hogg praised the swimmers for visiting an RNLI lifeguarded beach: ‘All seven casualties were sensible for choosing a lifeguarded beach, because as soon as they found themselves in trouble, one of our lifeguards was on hand to help.

'Flash rips can be very dangerous and appear without warning. We advise people to not fight the current and remain calm.’

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

· Fight your instinct to 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 Cayton Bay lifeguard service has been operating since 2001. To learn more about the lifeguarded beach go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches/cayton-bay-beach

Lead Lifeguard Supervisor Andrew Hogg is available for interview.

Photo Credit

RNLI/Derry Salter

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