RNLI Southwold lifeguards rescue woman stuck out at sea

Just after beginning their patrols, the charity’s lifeguards received a call from HM Coastguard informing them of a casualty who had been swept out to sea. The woman had been swimming at the beach when strong winds pushed her out of her depth to the north of the pier. The casualty then got stuck around the groynes.

Lifeguard duo Ella Tolliday and new recruit Elizabeth Reeder immediately entered the water off the pier and assisted the woman, with the help of rescue boards, back to shore.

The pair undertook a series of medical checks at the shore. Despite the casualty being alert, the team called an ambulance due to the large amount of water swallowed. The casualty has fully recovered.

Lifeguard Supervisor Arna Tolliday praised the woman for visiting a lifeguarded beach: ‘It was great the woman chose to swim at a lifeguarded beach as the HM Coastguard alerted us as soon as she found herself in trouble, meaning we were quickly available to assist.

'It was vital that the woman stayed calm after she’d been swept out to sea. We encourage people to do the same if they find themselves struggling in the water and follow our Float to Live advice.’

If you find yourself struggling in the water, follow the Float to Live advice:

· Fight your instinct to thrash around

· Lean back, extend your arms and legs

· If you need to, gently move your arms and legs to float

· Float until you can control your breathing

· Only then call for help or swim to safety

For more information about Float to Live: RNLI Beach Safety – Top Five Tips To Stay Safe By The Sea

Notes to editors

RNLI Southwold North service has been operating since 2001. To learn more about the lifeguarded beach go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches/southwold-north-beach

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 146,000 lives.

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