RNLI lifeguards at Roker beach perform essential first aid

At around 5:50pm, just before the end of patrols, Lifeguard Supervisor Nick Campbell became aware of an unconscious man behind the old Roker Lifeboat base.

Nick quickly gathered fellow lifeguards Sam Irwin and Louis Irwin as well as Senior Lifeguard Aaron Curl. The charity’s lifeguards arrived with a casualty care kit and quickly administered oxygen.

The Lifeguard Supervisor soon recognised the symptoms as undiagnosed diabetes, so suggested giving the casualty glucose gel. The casualty immediately regained consciousness.

The police arrived shortly after and assisted in the remaining first aid, before taking the casualty to hospital. The casualty has fully recovered from his collapse and is in a good condition.

Lifeguard Supervisor Nick Campbell was pleased with the man’s quick recovery: ‘Our lifeguards have received excellent first aid training, which is essential and lifesaving when waiting for further medical assistance.

Luckily, the casualty chose to spend his day at a lifeguarded beach, because as soon as he found himself in any trouble, our lifeguards were on hand to help.’

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 Roker lifeguard service has been operating since 2001. To learn more about the lifeguarded beach go to: Roker Beach - Lifeguarded beaches (rnli.org)

Lifeguard Supervisor Nick Campbell 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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