Eastbourne RNLI volunteers assist young casualty

As they were leaving the all-weather lifeboat station, a manager from Sovereign Harbour approached Coxswain Mark Sawyer and his son David saying she had received a call from a member of the public asking for help as they'd spotted the RNLI flag flying above the boathouse. She reported that someone wasn't breathing over on the beach. Mark and David made their way and on arrival found the casualty to be a two-year-old child.

David was first on scene followed by Mark who took over CPR, and after a short time managed to get the casualty breathing again and then into the recovery position, maintaining breathing until paramedics arrived on scene.

Mark and David were only at the lifeboat station by chance as David was dropping Mark back to his car after a day out together.

'RNLI volunteers spend countless hours training for various scenarios including casualty care, and we were able to put this training into action on that afternoon. We hope the casualty makes a full recovery and our thoughts and good wishes are with them and their family ' Mark said afterwards.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.