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Port Talbot RNLI and RNLI lifeguards carry out a joint exercise off Aberavon

Lifeboats News Release

Today saw volunteer lifeboat crew and lifeguards respond to a training scenario of a paddle boarder in medical distress off the North pier of Aberavon.

RNLI/Ceri Jeffreys

Port Talbot RNLI and Lifeguards joint exercise 28/05/23


As the summer and school holidays approach, it’s critical that RNLI lifeboat crew and lifeguards work together in perfect unison honing their different skills to provide the best possible response to any emergency. The aim of today's exercise was blending with speed and professionalism the two differing skill sets.

Port Talbot inshore lifeboat Craig Morris was tasked to reports of a paddle boarder in medical distress. Volunteer Helm James “Jambo” Jennings on arriving on scene assessed the situation and requested the assistance of the lifeguards' jet ski and casualty care trained lifeguards to assist with safely treating and extracting the casualty.

Once the casualty had been assessed a decision was made to evacuate the casualty with safe hast to the beach where further trained lifeguard casualty carers would able to provide further assistance.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Clive Morris stated, 'This morning, Port Talbot Lifeboat volunteer crew conducted a joint training exercise with RNLI Lifeguards at Aberavon Beach. The exercise was with regards to a paddle boarder in difficulty and requiring First Aid.

'Working closely together, the exercise was conducted where both skill sets came together to simulate an actual rescue. Training is vital for both lifeboat crews and lifeguards so that skills can be fine tuned in the event of a real rescue.'

As the busy summer months arrive, RNLI volunteers around the country are poised to drop everything to the sound of a pager. While every effort is made to respond as quickly and safely as possible, it is important that crucial self rescue techniques are employed, such as the Float to Live technique:

-Tilt your head back with ears submerged

- Relax and try to control your breathing

- Move your hands to help you stay afloat

- Once you are over the initial shock, call for help or swim to safety

- In an emergency call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

RNLI Media contacts

For more information, please contact Ceri Jeffreys: [email protected]

RNLI/Ceri Jeffreys

Port Talbot RNLI and Lifeguards joint exercise 28/05/23

RNLI/Ceri Jeffreys

Port Talbot RNLI and Lifeguards joint exercise 28/05/23

RNLI/Ceri Jeffreys

Port Talbot RNLI and Lifeguards joint exercise 28/05/23

RNLI/Ceri Jeffreys

Port Talbot RNLI and Lifeguards joint exercise 28/05/23

RNLI/Ceri Jeffreys

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