Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat station hosts major multi-agency training exercise
RNLI lifeboat volunteers and lifeguards, HM Coastguards and paramedics from Blackdown Medical joined forces on Tuesday evening (1 July) to conduct a joint exercise in Lyme Regis.
A number of challenging rescue scenarios were exercised including the transfer of an injured person from lifeguard rescue board to lifeboat, the extraction of an unconscious casualty with suspected spinal injuries from rocks off the harbour north wall, and the mass rescue of persons in the water following a simulated pleasure craft sinking.
All agencies agreed this was a valuable joint training experience which will strengthen lifesaving capability over the busy summer period.
RNLI Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for Weymouth and West Dorset Alice Higgins summed up the exercise: ‘This was an excellent opportunity, right at the start of the peak season, to practise how we would work with other agencies to rescue casualties in a range of scenarios. We were able to simulate casualty care techniques, understand each other’s equipment and rehearse procedures for handing over care of a casualty to another agency.
RNLI lifeguard cover starts at West Bay and Lyme Regis beaches on 12 July and will continue every day 10am – 6pm until 7 September.
The Notes to editors:
Photo captions:
1. Lifeboat crew, lifeguards, coastguards and paramedics in front of Lyme Regis RNLI inshore lifeboat. Photo credit: RNLI/Nick Marks.
2. RNLI lifeguards are briefed on the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat by Lyme Regis volunteer Senior Helm Tim Edwards. Photo credit: RNLI/Alice Higgins.
3. Lifeboat crew receive a casualty from the lifeguards. Photo credit: RNLI/Mark Ellis.
4. Coastguards and lifeguards treat a simulated casualty with suspected spinal injuries on the rocks at north wall. Photo credit: RNLI/Nick Marks.
5. Coastguards and lifeguards move the casualty off the rocks. Photo credit: RNLI/Nick Marks.
6. Lyme Regis lifeboat approaches multiple persons in the water following a simulated pleasure boat sinking. Photo credit: RNLI/Alice Higgins.
RNLI media contacts
For more information, please contact Nick Marks, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Lyme Regis Lifeboat Station on 07568 187582 or [email protected]. or Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager, on 07786 668847 or [email protected], or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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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