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RNLI Lifeguards are back patrolling Pembrokeshire’s beaches this summer

Lifeguards News Release

RNLI Lifeguards have completed their operational training and are back patrolling beaches every day over the summer until 8th September.

RNLI/Billy Scotty Webber

RNLI Lifeguards completing a training exercise with the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 187.

Now that summer is here, the beaches on Pembrokeshire’s beautiful coast are getting increasingly busy. The RNLI provide a lifeguarding service which operates everyday this summer between the hours of 10am and 6pm from Saturday 22 June until Sunday 8 September.

The RNLI lifeguards are there to offer advice and to supervise and rescue people who find themselves in difficulty. Lifeguards encourage anyone visiting the beach this summer to always swim between the red and yellow flags.

Pembrokeshire lifeguards have recently completed their two week pre-season training including a 3 day Casualty Care course, Operational Command & Leadership, rescue scenarios as well as regular fitness and competency testing. RNLI Lifeguards have also completed training with the Pilots & Winch operators of Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 187 which included preparing casualties for rapid evacuations from beach locations. Throughout the summer season, Pembrokeshire Lifeguards will also complete exercises with RNLI Lifeboat, Coastguard Rescue Teams and The Welsh Ambulance Service Trust.

The training that the Lifeguards receive ensures that they are equipped with the knowledge, skills & experience to keep all beach users as safe as possible so they can enjoy Pembrokeshire's beautiful beaches. Without your support and donations they wouldn’t receive the training or equipment that they need in order to save lives at sea.

Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for South Wales Chris Rigby said, ‘RNLI lifeguards have completed their operational training to a very high standard and are now patrolling on Pembrokeshire beaches. The sea can be dangerously unpredictable and is ever changing and I encourage everyone visiting the beach this summer to chat to the Lifeguards about the conditions and always swim between the red and yellow flags. It is important we all respect the water and understand the potential dangers when visiting the beach and using the water’

RNLI Lifeguards want people to enjoy the sea this summer across the 240 UK beaches the charities Lifeguards will be patrolling. We hope to see you at a Lifeguarded beach soon.

Notes for editors:
  • The RNLI's lifeguards are paid a wage, as they need to be on the beaches during patrolled hours, and the RNLI can’t rely on volunteers to provide this cover seven days a week.

RNLI Media Contacts
 
For more information contact:
Katie Lewis, Media Engagement Placement (Wales and West) at [email protected]
Eleri Roberts, Regional Media Officer on 01745 585162 / 07771 941390 or at [email protected]
Danielle Rush, Regional Media Manager on 01745585162 or 07786668829 or at [email protected]

RNLI/Billy Scotty Webber

RNLI Lifeguards completing a training exercise with the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 187.

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.