
East of England RNLI lifeguard season comes to an end
On Sunday 3 September, RNLI lifeguard services across certain beaches in the East of England finished, marking the end of another lifeguard season.
RNLI lifeguard patrols at Wells-next-the-Sea, Sheringham West, Sheringham East, West Runton, East Runton, Cromer West, Cromer East, Mundesley, Sea Palling, Hemsby, Great Yarmouth, Gorleston, Southwold North, Southwold South, Lowestoft North and Lowestoft South have come to an end as the peak summer season closes.
The charity’s lifeguards have worked extremely hard by monitoring the beaches, performing lifesaving rescues, administering essential first aid and participating in training exercises to practice some of the important skills required to save lives at sea.
They have also collaborated with RNLI lifeboat stations and crew across the East of England and emergencies services including HM Coastguard and the Fire and Rescue service.
The most notable rescue of the season was by RNLI Lifeguards Theo Maun and Max Sterry who came to the aid of 18-month-old Macie and her family at West Runton Beach Café when she became unresponsive and in desperate need of medical attention.
At their family-owned café by West Runton beach, out of nowhere Macie’s eyes closed and she suddenly went completely floppy and couldn’t control her own head. Macie was struggling with her breathing and had become unresponsive.
The family called for an ambulance who advised that a defibrillator was needed. Fortunately, they were sat at a café next to a lifeguarded beach with access to one. The alarm was raised to lifeguards Theo and Max who were on patrol that day.
The charity’s lifeguards responded immediately grabbing the first-aid responder bag including oxygen, and retrieving the defibrillator. Once on scene they checked Macie’s pulse, she had effective breathing but was still unconscious.
They put Macie on oxygen and monitored her breathing while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. When the paramedics arrived, Macie began to show signs of small movement with her arms and legs. She woke up in a little bit of a shock, crying, but appeared to be alert and was taken to hospital for further health checks.
The lifeguards received praises from supporters and the family for their bravery and dedication to keeping the family calm while attending to little Macie.
East of England RNLI Lead Lifeguard Supervisor Ted Morgan congratulated his team’s efforts:
‘Our team across the East of England have consistently worked hard this summer saving lives. It’s brilliant that so many beachgoers chose to visit a lifeguarded beach this summer and followed our safety advice.’
Should people wish to visit a beach during offseason, the RNLI urge members of the public to continue to follow their Float to Live advice:
If you find yourself in trouble in the water, remember to...
-
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 and ask for the Coastguard or, if you are inland, ask for the Fire and Rescue service.
For beach safety information and tips, please visit: https://rnli.org/safety/beach-safety
For further information on Float to Live, go to: https://rnli.org/safety/float
RNLI Picture caption
The photograph shows RNLI Lifeguards monitoring the beach. Photo credit: Callum Robinson.
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.