Thanet & Swale RNLI Lifeguards give warning on use of inflatables in the sea

After a rescue last week involving a four year old boy being swept out to sea on an inflatable, RNLI lifeguards are asking members of the public to refrain from taking their inflatables to the beach this summer.

The rescue occurred on Joss Bay beach, where offshore winds swept the child and their inflatable out to sea extremely quickly.

RNLI lifeguard Mowgli Palmer was able to see the boy in difficulty and swiftly jumped into action using the rescue board to swim out and assist the child.

The boy was shaken and concerned about falling into the water, but Mowgli reassured him and encouraged him onto the rescue board where he was then brought safely ashore to his mother.

Sam Woodard, Lead Lifeguard Supervisor, says: ‘It’s great to see so many people enjoying the beaches this year but it is important to remember that inflatables are not suitable for use at the beach. They can be very easily swept out to sea in the wind or tide and people can often be in danger before they know it. We ask that people leave their inflatable toys at home and use those at the pool instead.’

The RNLI advises that if you are in trouble in the water and have an inflatable, stay with the inflatable hold onto it and call for help.

Notes to editors

· The RNLI beach safety advice can be found here: https://rnli.org/safety/beach-safety

· For information on where to find a lifeguarded beach: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches

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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 142,700 lives.

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