RNLI Longsands lifeguards rescue two teenagers swept into a rip

At around 1pm, Longsands lifeguard Will Hogg was patrolling the beach between the red and yellow flags when he noticed two girls in the swim zone. Due to the bad weather conditions, a strong wave knocked the two swimmers off a sandbank that they were standing on.

The waves swept the girls out of their depth and into deeper water, where they became caught in a rip current. Will saw the two girls struggling as they could not reach the bottom.

The charity’s lifeguard entered the water with the rescue tube and assisted the teenagers around the rip and back to shore. Once ashore, the casualties underwent a series of medical checks with one beginning to show signs of low blood sugar. The RNLI Longsands team gave her glycol gel, before the girl declined needing further treatment.

Lead Lifeguard Supervisor Sean Mills congratulated his lifeguard’s efforts, but warned of the danger of rip currents: ‘Rip currents are very dangerous, with flash rips appearing without warning. If you find yourself stuck in a rip current, do not fight it. Stay calm and call for help.

'By visiting a lifeguarded beach and swimming between the red and yellow flags, it ensures that one of our lifeguards will be around to assist you.’

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

Lead Lifeguard Supervisor Sean Mills is available for interview.

Photo Credit

RNLI/Derry Salter

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