Coldingham RNLI Lifeguards in joint training with Eyemouth RNLI Lifeboat

Lifeguard supervisor and exercise co-ordinator, Iona Hamilton, had devised scenarios involving swimmers getting into difficulty which required teamwork from the RNLI Lifeguards on the beach and the volunteer lifeboat crews to achieve the best outcome for the ‘casualties’.

Using various recovery methods from the water Lifeguards brought the casualties on board the lifeboats where joint casualty care was carried out by crew members and lifeguards, who share the same RNLI casualty care qualification.

Lifeguard supervisor Iona Hamilton said: “Thankfully we haven’t had to work together this season, but in the past, we have worked closely with the lifeboats based out of Eyemouth, as well as the independent lifeboat at St Abbs on incidents.”

“Eyemouth’s all-weather lifeboat carries different pain relief than we have on the beach, so it is great to be able to share our knowledge, experience and equipment between the two arms of the RNLI’s lifesaving service helping us provide a higher standard of care to any potential casualty.”

Wendy Lormier, volunteer crew member with Eyemouth RNLI said: "It is great to have joint training sessions with the RNLI Lifeguards at Coldingham. You never know when you might be called on to put the training into practise for real, and every second counts when someone is in difficulty in the water."

Coldingham RNLI lifeguards are now on patrol 10am – 6pm at weekends only, until Sunday 24 September when the season ends. In any coastal emergency dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.

Notes to editors