RNLI lifeguards rescue casualty drifting out to sea at Great Yarmouth
On Tuesday 9 August, the lifeguard team at Great Yarmouth beach rescued two girls drifting out to sea before administering crucial first aid to one casualty.
Matt paddled out to the duo on his rescue board, whilst fellow lifeguard Hattie Bracey prepared the responder bag after being told by one of the girls’ friends that one casualty has epilepsy. The charity’s lifeguards determined that the unresponsive casualty may have had a seizure in the water.
Matt safely returned the two beachgoers to shore, where the lifeguard team administered crucial first aid. The previously unresponsive casualty began to recover after being treated for her seizure. The other casualty received treatment for shock as well as swallowing a significant amount of water.
An ambulance and HM Coastguard quickly arrived at the scene to take over first aid responsibilities. Both girls made a full recovery after visiting the hospital for a check up.
Lifeguard Supervisor Arna Tolliday praised the duo’s calmness during the situation and their choice to visit Great Yarmouth: ‘It was great that the girls decided to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags. As soon as they found themselves in any trouble, one of our lifeguards was on hand to help.
'Our lifeguards are excellently trained in administering first aid, which is both essential and lifesaving when waiting for further medical assistance to arrive.’
If you find yourself or anyone else in trouble in and around the water when visiting a lifeguarded beach, please dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
For more information on how to stay safe this summer, please visit: RNLI Beach Safety – Top Five Tips To Stay Safe By The Sea
Notes to editors
RNLI Great Yarmouth lifeguard service has been operating since 2001. To learn more about the lifeguarded beach go to: Great Yarmouth Beach - Lifeguarded beaches (rnli.org)
Lifeguard Supervisor Arna Tolliday is available for interview.
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Key facts about the RNLI
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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