South Devon RNLI lifeguards save three lives as patrols on some beaches finish

At Slapton (Torcross), RNLI Lifeguards Zoe Durant and Jake King spotted two swimmers in difficulty a considerable distance from the shore and outside of the red and yellow flagged area. Jake immediately responded on a rescue board, reaching and securing the casualties in good time. Meanwhile, Zoe coordinated with the Coastguard and requested a lifeboat to assist Jake with the two casualties due to the distance from shore. However, with help from a passing fishing vessel, Jake managed to safely bring both casualties ashore before lifeboat help was required. Zoe and Jake provided emergency casualty care and monitored the swimmers before they were allowed to leave, armed with essential safety advice.

At Blackpool Sands, RNLI Lifeguard Joe Robinson reacted immediately after spotting a swimmer struggling in challenging dumping waves. Joe put his training to good use, swiftly rescuing the swimmer before checking for injuries and issuing safety advice. During the incident, RNLI Lifeguard Dan Torrance stood-by to assist if required whilst closely monitoring the red and yellow flagged zone to ensure the safety of all other water users.

RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor Dylan Pegg said:

‘I’m proud of how our lifeguards responded to these equally challenging incidents. Their swift actions and effective decision making resulted in positive outcomes for all three casualties. As the change of season brings increasingly difficult sea conditions, we are urging anyone visiting the coast to choose a lifeguarded beach and to only swim and surf within their limits.’

The 2025 peak season finished on Sunday 7 September, bringing an end tolifeguard patrols at Blackpool Sands, Slapton and Hope Cove. RNLI Lifeguards are still patrolling at Bantham, Sedgewell Cove and Challaborough daily between 10am-6pm until Sunday 28 September. Following this, Bantham will remain with weekend cover only until a final week of full-time patrols over October half term will close the season.

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

• Follow the link to see which beaches currently have RNLI lifeguard patrols here 

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

Media contacts 

For more information, please contact Colleen Semple, Communications Placement 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]