Padstow Coastguard’s race against the tide at Constantine Bay

A slip on the rocks at Constantine Bay turned into a race against a fast-moving spring tide on Monday evening, as coastguard teams and lifeguards worked together to get an injured casualty off the beach before the water closed in.

A call to the beach at 5.46pm

HM Coastguard Padstow was tasked to Constantine Bay at 5.46pm on Monday 31 August, logged as incident 58-2026. The team was called in to assist Constantine RNLI Lifeguards, who were already with a casualty who had slipped on rocks, sustained injuries and was unable to move off the beach under their own power.

The lifeguards were following their Cascare first aid procedures when the coastguard team arrived, and assisted where required as the two teams worked the incident together.

📷Credit: HM Coastguard Padstow

A stretcher, a line for security, and a race against the tide

With a fast incoming spring tide bearing down on the beach, the casualty needed to be extricated quickly. They were carefully loaded onto the team’s cliff stretcher and carried up the nearby steps.

For added security on the carry, a line known as a headline was attached to the stretcher and run back through an ID, connected to an urban hold-fast.

Shelter in a stranger’s garden

Once off the beach, the casualty was taken to a nearby garden for further observations, away from public view and sheltered from the elements. The coastguard team thanked the homeowner for their hospitality, saying it was really appreciated.

Handover to Truro

The casualty was handed over once the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust arrived on scene, and was transferred to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro for further investigation and treatment.

HM Coastguard Padstow said a huge thank you was owed to the Constantine Lifeguards, who worked overtime to ensure continuity of care for the casualty throughout the incident.

📷Credit: HM Coastguard Padstow