RNLI lifeguards rescue 10 swimmers caught in a rip current at Perranporth Beach

Despite the surf being small and the conditions being reasonably calm, the charity’s lifeguards patrolling Perranporth beach had been dealing with flash rips developing intermittently between the red and yellow flags on Saturday afternoon. Two lifeguards were already in the water: one on board patrol, and the other swimming.

RNLI lifeguard Seb Bartlett, who was swimming, noticed two or three swimmers being pulled out by a rip current and immediately went to assist. As he approached them, more people were caught in the rip current and pulled out beside Seb. Feeling the force of the rip, Seb signalled to the lifeguards on the beach for urgent assistance.

The lifeguards on the patrol truck responded immediately and began launching their rescue boards to assist, whilst the lifeguard on board patrol redirected to the scene. A second patrol vehicle arrived shortly after, and an off-duty lifeguard who had seen the unfolding situation also entered the water on a rescue board to assist. Working together, the lifeguards successfully paddled all the casualties back to the shore, rescuing approximately ten people.

The incident was caused by a flash rip, which is a fast-forming, powerful current which can appear suddenly, even in seemingly calm conditions.

While the rescue was ongoing, other members of the Perranporth lifeguard team were responding to a serious first aid incident at the Watering Hole bar, at the top of the beach.

Much later that evening, after his working patrol hours, RNLI lifeguard Seb Bartlett was involved in another serious incident. He was swimming at Perranporth when he saw two children struggling to return to shore having been caught out in another rip current. He swam both children back in and delivered them to the safety of the beach and their parents.

Seasonal Lifeguard Supervisor, Drustan Ward, said: ‘Rip currents can be difficult to spot, but are sometimes identified by a channel of churning, choppy water. If in doubt, ask a lifeguard for advice, they will show you how you can identify and avoid rips.’

This weekend just gone has been incredibly busy for the lifeguard service, especially with the hot weather. As the summer holidays approach, we’d like to remind people just how quickly situations just like the ones we responded to over the weekend can unfold. It is essential for anyone looking to visit the coast this summer to choose an RNLI lifeguarded beach, always swim between the red and yellow flags where the lifeguards can respond to incidents before they become life threatening.’

The RNLI's advice is to:

- Choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags, which is the area most closely monitored by the lifeguards.

- The charity’s advice for anyone struggling in the water is ‘Float to Live’:

• Tilt your head back, with your ears submerged

• Relax and try to breathe normally

• Move your hands and feet to help you stay afloat

• It’s fine if your legs sink, we all float differently

• Practise floating in a local pool if you can.

If you see someone else struggling in water:

• Call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

• Tell the person to relax and float on their back.

• Throw something buoyant to help them stay afloat.

For more information visit RNLI.org/Float

Notes to Editors

• Image of Seb Bartlett credit RNLI

• Spokespeople are available for interview – please contact the press office on the details below

• RNLI lifeguards currently patrol 11 beaches across the south west with an 11 additional beaches in Cornwall being patrolled from this Saturday (19 July) Follow the link to see which beaches currently have RNLI lifeguard patrols here

Media contacts

For more information, please contact Colleen Semple on [email protected] or Amy Caldwell, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected] or Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected], or RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or via [email protected]