RNLI lifeguards rescue over 20 people
With hot weather and busy beaches in Poole Bay and Christchurch, RNLI lifeguards were able to put their winter training to use with the rescue of over 20 people who found themselves in difficulty throughout the week.
RNLI Lifeguards at Sandbanks kicked off the week by launching their jet ski to assist the coastguard in towing a speed boat that had engine failure and was perilously close to drifting into the path of a chain ferry on Saturday, and on Tuesday, our lifeguards boarded a sailing boat with propeller failure and no anchor to reassure the elderly passenger and assist the coastguard with the rescue.
Despite the sunny weather on Wednesday in Boscombe, there was a strong wind creating a sideways current which was pulling a number of swimming children into a rip current that had suddenly appeared. RNLI lifeguards navigated the dangerous currents on their rescue boards and took the children back to shore.
Poole Bay lifeguards dealt with ten major first aid incidents before handing them over to the ambulance service. These incidents ranged from a lady with chest pains through to a nose injury caused by diving and the hot weather lead to a number of seizures were reported up and down the bay which RNLI lifeguards assisted with.
An overturned jet ski and a broken down ice-cream boat were just a couple of things Branksome lifeguards were faced with, whilst the lifeguards at Bournemouth conducted a successful search and rescue, liaising with the Coastguard after a distressed wife reported that her husband had gone missing whilst in the water.
RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor for Poole Bay and Christchurch, Mike Winter said: ‘It’s been an incredibly busy week for RNLI lifeguards in Poole Bay and Christchurch. They have all done a fantastic job assisting the public and offering safety advice as well as rescuing those in trouble.
With the incredibly hot weather set to continue we would always recommend visiting a lifeguarded beach and swimming between the flags to make sure you’re beach trip is as safe as possible. If anyone does find themselves in trouble, just raise your hand and shout for help. Never go in if you spot anyone else in trouble please alert a lifeguard’
Our lifeguards are a friendly bunch and happy to help if you have any questions when visiting a beach.
Lifeguards are on the beaches across Poole Bay and Christchurch everyday until 5 September from 10am – 6pm.
ENDS
Notes to editors
• Photo credit: RNLI
• RNLI lifeguards are qualified in lifesaving and casualty care
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Evie Prescott on 01202 336511 or [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.