RNLI lifeguards join Southwold lifeboat station for joint training exercise
Lowestoft, Southwold and Gorleston RNLI lifeguards joined Southwold Lifeboat Station for an exciting, combined training exercise on Southwold beach (Thursday 13 July).
The training exercise, run by RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor Sam Every and Atlantic 85 helms Simon Callaghan and Bob Cooper, was a great opportunity for lifeguards to practice their collaborative rescue skills with the lifeboat crew.
The team learned about the capabilities of the Annie Tranmer, Southwold’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat, and spent two hours practising casualty transfers from rescue boards and rescue tubes up to the boat.
Sam Every said: ‘The joint training exercise between Southwold Lifeboat Station and the local lifeguard service has been hugely beneficial.
‘It has given the lifeguards and lifeboat crew a chance to practise and refine techniques for how we might transport casualties and has also given the lifeguards a greater understanding of the capabilities of Southwold Lifeboat Station.
‘Hopefully the success from this collaboration will lead to future training scenarios where we can work on developing more skills together.’
Bob Cooper added: ‘This was an invaluable exercise full of enthusiasm. The crew enjoyed training together with Lowestoft, Southwold and Gorleston RNLI beach lifeguards and demonstrating the capabilities of our Atlantic 85.’
The charity’s lifeguards pride themselves in being as fit and prepared as possible to keep beach users safe.
Sam said: ‘We always recommend that members of the public swim at a lifeguarded beach between the red and yellow flags.
‘If you find yourself in trouble in the water, remember to Float to Live:
-
Tilt your head back with your ears submerged
-
Try to relax
-
Control your breathing
-
Use your hands to help you stay afloat
-
Once calm, then try to call for help or swim to safety if you can.’
In a coastal emergency, call 999 or 112 for the Coastguard.
You can see the RNLI lifeboat crew and lifeguards working together during Southwold Lifeboat Day on Saturday 5 August at 11am on Southwold seafront. Following the demonstration, the lifeboat station will be open to visitors between 12pm and 4pm.
For beach safety information and tips, please visit: https://rnli.org/safety/beach-safety
Notes to editors
To find out more about Southwold RNLI lifeboat station: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/southwold-lifeboat-station
RNLI lifeguards are currently operating on the following East of England beaches seven-days-a-week between 10am and 6pm:
-
Wells-next-the-Sea
-
Sheringham East
-
Sheringham West
-
West Runton
-
East Runton
-
Cromer West
-
Cromer East
-
Mundesley
-
Sea Palling
-
Hemsby
-
Great Yarmouth
-
Gorleston
-
Southwold North
-
Southwold South
-
Lowestoft North
-
Lowestoft South
Here is a link to a video demonstrating the Float to Live technique: https://source.rnli.org.uk/share/8D368494-1288-427B-9579B05FD5568D3F/?viewType=grid
For further information please see www.rnli.org/safety/float
RNLI picture caption
Photograph 1 shows RNLI lifeguards running to their rescue boards. Photo credit: Jonathon Sapsford.
Photograph 2 shows RNLI lifeguards alongside Southwold's Atlantic 85 lifeboat and crew. Photo credit: Jonathon Sapsford.
Photograph 3 shows RNLI lifeguards and Southwold lifeboat crew practising transferring casualties. Photo credit: Jonathon Sapsford.
RNLI media contacts
For more information, please contact Toni Carr, RNLI Media Engagement Placement on 07890 402106 or [email protected] or Clare Hopps, Regional Media Officer on 07824 518641 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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.