
South Shields RNLI lifeguards rescue five casualties caught by offshore winds
South Shields lifeguards saved three adults and two children, and brought them back to safety on the inshore lifeboat.
The RNLI is urging people visiting the North East coast this week to respect the water and visit a lifeguarded beach as the coast has been busy throughout the 2024 summer.
At Sandhaven Beach on Friday 16th August, the water conditions were calm with a high tide but strong offshore winds were building.
At 3pm lifeguards Lucas Campion and Wayne Hann spotted five people sharing four inflatable pool rings between them. The offshore winds, which blow from the land to the sea where they blow stronger, had swept the group, two mothers, two young daughters and another adult out to sea.
With no control of the inflatables, and releasing they were blowing them out to sea, they decided to abandon the inflatable rings and swim back. They had drifted up to 100 metres from the shore. Lucas and Wayne were quickly on their way and drove to the casualties in the inshore rescue lifeboat.
Lucas said: ‘The group panicked when realising that they could not touch the sea floor and had no means of communication or calling for help.’
The lifeguards took the group back to safety together and checked their health once on the beach. After the rescuees were safe the lifeguards used the inshore lifeboat to collect the inflatable rings, to ensure no concerns or false alarms were raised.
Lucas added: ‘I am grateful that the family came to a lifeguarded beach and that we were able to rescue them before they got into any further difficulties or swallowed any water. It is always best to come to a lifeguarded beach as we are here to help, you can have peace of mind that we patrol the beach from 10am to 6pm.’
‘Ask your lifeguards or check weather conditions when heading to the beach. We have an offshore windsock at the beach which lets people know conditions, as winds can quickly take inflatables and people out to sea. If you do get into difficulty Float to Live.’
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, which can take up to a minute.
- Use your hands to help you stay afloat, remember everyone floats differently - some people’s legs can sink.
- Once calm, then try call for help or swim to safety if you can.
In a coastal emergency, call 999 or 112 for the Coastguard.
For beach safety information and tips, please visit: https://rnli.org/safety/beach-safety
Notes to editors
· 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
· Since 2001, RNLI lifeguards have saved 1,681 lives, aided 320,087 people through water rescue, returning lost children and delivering first aid and casualty care. They have responded to 251,436 incidents and carried out 32M preventative actions.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Lauren Wright, RNLI North and East Media Engagement - Placement on 07890 402106 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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 142,700 lives.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.