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New Scarborough RNLI lifeguard marks busy first summer as season comes to an end

Lifeguards News Release

She may be only 16 but new lifeguard Sarah Hatchard has had a busy first season across Scarborough beaches putting her training to good use assisting paddleboarders, swimmers and beach goers.

Female lifeguard in uniform yellow polo top and red shorts and sunglasses on the beach

RNLI

Sarah at Sandsend Beach advising people to swim in between the red and yellow flags

Sarah joining the RNLI coincides with the charity’s 200th anniversary and she has many stories to tell as the 2024 lifeguarding season comes to an end this week.

From the very beginning, she was called upon to attend first aid incidents and needed to put her casualty care training to good use helping poorly and injured members of the public.

Then on Monday 5th August at 3.30pm, Sarah assisted a grandfather and two children on a paddleboard at Sandsend Beach. They were getting swept out to sea by offshore winds, Sarah quickly took a rescue board and paddled out to bring them back to shore.

Another prominent rescue for Sarah happened the following day at 2pm on Tuesday 6th August at Saltburn Beach. Two young boys had found themselves stranded on a sandbank 50 metres offshore as a fast tide came in around them.

The boys tried to swim back to shore but didn’t realise how deep the water was and got into difficulty. A member of public fully clothed had gone in the water after them to help, she reached the two boys but was in difficulty herself.

Sarah used her rescue board to paddle out to them. All three casualties got on the board as Sarah swam and dragged it back to safety on the shore.

Sarah said: ‘Being a lifeguard is great as an average day at the office, meaning the beach is never the same. I have learnt valuable skills and put them in action. I have really enjoyed my first season as a lifeguard, all the hard work and training pays of when I am able to help people.’

‘As the lifeguarding season comes to an end this week, we urge people to still follow RNLI water safety advice. Check weather conditions when heading in the water, don’t use inflatables, paddleboards or kayaks in offshore winds. If caught in a rip current swim parallel to the shore.’

‘If you find yourself in difficulty, remember to 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 – This can take up to a minute
  • Use your hands to help you stay afloat – It is okay if your legs sink everyone floats differently
  • Once calm, then try call for help or swim to safety if you can.

As the lifeguarding season ends Sarah is now going into the first year of Sixth Form, to study Biology, Maths and Chemistry.

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 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.

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