Redcar RNLI lifeguards praised for lifesaving teamwork
On Wednesday 13 August, RNLI lifeguards at Redcar helped rescue three people from drowning after being alerted to swimmers in difficulty as they were preparing to finish their shift.
At around 5.55pm, Senior Lifeguard Harry Deluce and Grade two Lifeguard Theo Brown were packing away equipment when a member of the public raised the alarm. Two swimmers were reported struggling in the water, and as the lifeguards responded, they spotted a third casualty a parent who had entered the sea in an attempt to help the children but had also got into serious difficulty.
Theo entered the water with a rescue tube while Harry followed on a rescue board. On reaching the scene, Harry prioritised the two casualties in most immediate danger, while Theo assisted the swimmer who had managed to adopt the RNLI’s FLOAT to live position on their back.
HM Coastguard had been informed, and Redcar RNLI’s inshore lifeboat (ILB) launched to assist. The parent, who was exhausted and struggling to stay afloat, clung to the rescue board with support from Harry until the lifeboat arrived. The lifeboat crew assisted all three casualties and brought them safely ashore, where lifeguards and lifeboat crew provided casualty care. Two of the swimmers were taken to hospital by ambulance for further checks, but all were discharged later that day.
The following day, the family visited the Redcar lifeguard unit to thank the team personally.
Senior Lifeguard Harry Deluce said: ‘I honestly believe that without us being there, the parent who went in to help their children may not have made it back. It was a really close call. What made a huge difference was that one of the children had remembered to float on their back that simple technique gave them vital time until we could reach them. It shows how important it is to know how to FLOAT to Live, because it really can save your life.’
Over half of those who get into danger at the coast each year never planned to enter the water slips, trips and falls are a significant problem. The RNLI is urging people to Float to Live if they get into trouble in the water. This means leaning back and spreading your arms and legs to stay afloat, controlling your breathing, then calling for help or swimming to safety. In a coastal emergency, call 999 or 112 for the Coastguard, or the police if you are inland.
Find your nearest RNLI lifeguarded beach here: Find Your Nearest RNLI Lifeguarded Beaches
RNLI Media contacts For more information, please contact Jess Curtis, RNLI and Regional Engagements North and East, Lifeboat Press Officer at Wells: Tel 07483488243 Email: [email protected] contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
Notes to Editor
Interviews are available upon request with Theo Brown and Harry Deluce
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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