RNLI lifeguard season in Tyne and Wear comes to an end

The RNLI lifeguard service at Cats and Dogs, Cullercoats, King Edward’s Bay, Roker, Sandhaven Centre, Sandhaven Mowbray, Seaburn, Tynemouth Longsands, Tynemouth North, Whitley Bay and Whitley Bay North has come to an end as the summer season closes.

The charity’s lifeguards worked extremely hard with the support of HM Coastguard, Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade and Northumbria Police. The Tyne and Wear team administered essential first aid, assisted stranded paddleboarders and helped those caught in flash rips.

The most notable rescue of the season was by Senior Lifeguard Alex Tatro who responded to two 16-year-old girls struggling in the water at King Edward’s Bay on 13 August. Alex assisted the casualties back to shore and then performed crucial first aid after one casualty had a seizure. The lifeguard remained with the casualty, giving her oxygen until the ambulance arrived.

Lead Lifeguard Supervisor Sean Mills congratulated his team’s efforts: ‘Our lifeguard team across Tyne and Wear have worked very hard over the season. It’s brilliant that so many beachgoers chose to visit a lifeguarded beach this summer and followed our safety advice.’

The charity advises that should people wish to visit a beach during the offseason to continue following their Float to Live advice. If you find yourself in trouble in the water:

· Fight your instinct to thrash around

· Lean back, extend your arms and legs

· If you need to, gently move your arms and legs to float

· Float until you can control your breathing

· Only then call for help or swim to safety

If you decide to visit a beach throughout the offseason, ensure you carry a mobile in case you find yourself in trouble. Call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard if you find yourself in difficulty in and around the water.

For more information on how to stay safe at the beach, please visit: RNLI Beach Safety – Top Five Tips To Stay Safe By The Sea

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please contact Derry Salter, RNLI Media Engagement Placement on: 07890 402106 or email: [email protected]

Or, the RNLI Press Office available 24/7 on: 01202 336789 or email: [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.

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.