Tenby RNLI lifeguards save two teenagers from drowning

The lifesaving charity are reminding the public of the importance of visiting a lifeguarded beach over the final week of the summer holidays.

On Tuesday 26 August, stormy conditions hit the coast of west Wales following Hurricane Erin. RNLI lifeguards across Pembrokeshire were forced to red flag a number of beaches as they were deemed as unsafe, due to the combination of big surf and wind which heightens the risk of rip currents.

Four teenagers walked down towards the water on the Paragon (a stretch of beach that connects Castel Beach and South Beach). A patrolling RNLI lifeguard (LG) walked the 200m to reach the group and advised them against entering the water in that location, due to the big surf and strong rip currents. The lifeguard team had set up a red and yellow flagged swim zone on Castle Beach.

Shortly after returning to their post, the LG spotted that two of the group had entered the water and appeared to be struggling. Two LGs quickly equipped themselves with a rescue tube and a rescue board and made best speed to the casualties.

On approach, one of the teenagers could be heard shouting; ‘Help me please, I don’t want to die!’ The second had been dragged 150m out to sea and looked unresponsive, having been submerged for more than two minutes.

Carl Amos, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor and one of the team who entered the water said:

‘We knew we needed to get to the unresponsive casualty as soon as possible. I swam out with fins and a rescue tube, whilst my colleague Liam Nash paddled out on a rescue board. The sets were rolling in heavily which made it tough to reach the casualties. I clipped the first casualty into the rescue tube and Liam got the unresponsive casualty onto his board.’

Both casualties were returned to shore where LG Daisy Da Gama Howells was waiting to assess their condition and administer any casualty care first aid. The second casualty was struggling to breathe so was administered oxygen.

The lifeguards decided that the best way to extract the casualty from the beach was to strap him to a rescue board and carry him to the nearby Tenby RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Station to meet the ambulance. The volunteer lifeboat crew were on scene and assisted with the extraction.

The paramedics confirmed that both casualties had water on the lungs and took them to hospital for further assessment.

During this incident, LG Ffion Mabey was patrolling the red and yellow swim zone, keeping the beach safe for the 50+ people who were enjoying the surf.

Carl continued:

‘This incident is an example of why we give preventative advice and encourage people to swim between the red and yellow flags. The conditions on Tuesday were challenging due to the big waves and strong currents.

‘I’m really proud of my team’s response, everyone put their training to use and effectively rescued two people in serious trouble in the water. We provided casualty care first aid and handed them over to the care of the paramedics. This was all whilst the beach remained operational with a busy swim zone to watch over.

‘We’re reminding the public to choose a lifeguarded beach if they’re planning on going in the water in the final week of the summer holidays.

‘Had we not been there to help on Tuesday, the outcome could’ve been very different for the casualties.’

Tirion Dowsett, RNLI Water Safety Delivery Support said:

‘It’s vitally important that the public are aware of the dangers that the sea can pose. On this occasion, the sea was rougher than usual which increases the likelihood and strength of rip currents.

‘If you find yourself caught in a rip current, remember not to fight against it or you’ll get exhausted. If you can stand, wade don’t swim, or swim parallel to the shore until you’re free of the current, then head for the beach.

‘If you find yourself unable to return to shore, remember to Float to Live. Preserve your energy by floating and then when you’re able, wave and shout for help.

‘If you see anyone in difficulty along the coast, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. RNLI lifeguards patrol from 10am-6pm and volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew are on call 24/7 to come to your aid.’

RNLI Float to Live advice:

• Tilt your head back, submerging your ears
• Relax and control your breathing
• Move your hands and legs around to help you stay afloat
• Your legs may sink, that’s ok – we all float differently
• Practice swimming at a supervised location like a swimming pool.

RNLI advice if caught in a rip current:

• Don’t try to swim against it or you’ll get exhausted
• If you can stand, wade back to shore rather than swim
• If you can, swim parallel to the shore until free of the rip and then head for shore
• Always raise your hand and shout for help
• If your struggling, conserve your energy and Float to Live.

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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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.