RNLI lifeguards save the life of a swimmer in rescue at Praa Sands
RNLI lifeguards from South Cornwall were called into action yesterday (2 April) after a swimmer got into difficulty in strong currents at Praa Sands beach in Cornwall.
The lifeguard team, who were not on patrol, were finishing off their two-week induction training before the lifeguard season officially starts this weekend. Throughout the day the nine lifeguards (including supervisors and trainers) were practising rescues using their Inshore Rescue Boats (IRBs) off the beach, and at 5pm they were going through a debrief in the lifeguard hut.
At the same time, Falmouth Coastguard received multiple calls about a swimmer in difficulty and ‘waving for help’ off Hoe Point to the west of the beach. There were near gale force winds bringing in sizable swell into the area with incredibly strong currents as the tide was flooding in. Staff members from the local café put out the initial 999 call and quickly liaised with the RNLI lifeguard team.
With the glare from the sun, it was difficult to make out anyone in the water. Senior lifeguard Matt Trewhella entered the sea in his shorts using a rescue board to try to locate the person. A local surfer also attempted to assist but he quickly returned to the beach as the dumping waves and currents were so strong.
Matt paddled around 200 metres off-shore and thankfully managed to find the casualty, who was only just keeping himself above the water. Using his rescue board, he brought the man out of the water, but they were being washed towards the rocks and cliff at Sydney Cove.
Penlee RNLI Lifeboat volunteers were also being tasked to assist alongside local Coastguard teams from Porthleven. RNLI lifeguard trainer and senior lifeguard, Matthew Stone, was coordinating the rescue from the lifeguard hut alongside RNLI Supervisor Andy Bray on the beach.
Lead Lifeguard Supervisor Adam Harris, entered the water using a rescue board to assist, as it was obvious that Matt needed more help due to the difficult location that they were in. RNLI lifeguards Dave Revell and Elliot McCluskey ran back to the lifeguard hut to get rescue tubes and fins, and wearing wetsuits, assisted the team in the rough conditions. The casualty and the lifeguards were getting washed back onto the rocks as the wind and currents were so strong.
The team of four lifeguards managed to bring the casualty to shore, following around 15 minutes in the water. At this point Matthew Stone requested the Coastguard to standdown Penlee RNLI, as an ambulance was already en-route due to the time the casualty had been in the water.
Once brought up the beach, they were met by RNLI senior lifeguards Nelly Gallichan and Paul Richards as well as RNLI lifeguard Hamish Curtis-Cullen, who conducted casualty care. As the tide was still flooding, the casualty was carried further up the beach to the slipway with the help of the Coastguard teams.
An ambulance soon arrived and the paramedics took over the treatment. Thankfully, by this point the casualty's condition had improved.
RNLI Lead Lifeguard Supervisor Adam Harris, said: ‘I’m incredibly proud of the team of nine lifeguards who, although weren’t on active duty, showed incredible courage and teamwork to save the life of a holiday maker at Praa Sands. If we were not there, I fear there would have been a completely different outcome.
‘Well done to the team who entered the water, especially Matt Trewhella, who risked his own life to save another. Also, to Matthew and Andy for coordinating the incident and Nelly, Paul and Hamish for their casualty care skills.’
RNLI Trainer and Senior Lifeguard Matthew Stone, said: ‘This incident demonstrates the importance of our training. The team showed immense skill and determination, placing themselves in harm’s way to rescue someone in difficulty. Thank you to the Penlee RNLI, Porthleven Coastguard Team, SWAST ambulance and staff members from Stones reef café for assisting.’
RNLI Supervisor Andy Bray, added: ‘This rescue shows how important it is to visit an RNLI lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags. RNLI lifeguard cover will be commencing at Praa Sands (10am-6pm) this Saturday, April 5, and then over the Easter period. There's a forecast for constant strong winds creating unpredictable swell and currents to be hitting the southwest over the next few weeks, so be extra careful if you are visiting the coast and follow the advice of our RNLI lifeguard teams.'
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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