Two swimmers swept onto rocks at West Portholland

A rip current does not announce itself. From the sand it looks like any other stretch of water, and the first real sign of trouble is usually the beach getting further away instead of closer. Two swimmers at West Portholland were caught in one on Wednesday afternoon. One of them was in the sea for around half an hour.

Caught in a rip and swept onto the rocks

The pair had been swimming in fairly rough conditions when the current took hold and pushed them onto rocks at the side of the beach.

They were helped ashore by other people using the beach, who reached them with a life ring.

📷Credit: Mevagissey Coastguard

The pagers went at 1346

Mevagissey Coastguard was paged at 1346 on Wednesday alongside Portscatho Coastguard Rescue Team, Falmouth Lifeboat, Rescue 924 the HM Coastguard helicopter and land ambulances, after a report of two people in the water.

📷Credit: Mevagissey Coastguard

Rescue 924 was first on scene

The helicopter got there ahead of everyone else. After a quick check to make sure nobody else was still in the water, the crew winched their paramedic down to start assessing the casualties.

📷Credit: Mevagissey Coastguard

Checked over and taken by ambulance

One of the swimmers was just a little shaken. The other had been in the water for around 30 minutes and, thankfully, had only minor injuries. Both were transferred to a land ambulance and taken for further treatment and checks.

📷Credit: Mevagissey Coastguard

What to do if you see someone in trouble

The advice is short and worth committing to memory. Dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

“For persons in the water, we will move heaven and earth to respond as quickly as possible and throw every available asset at the incident,” the team said.

Know your limits, and read the sign

The rest of the message is about what happens long before anyone has to make that call. Take care in the water, know your limits, and always check the local safety signage. The board at the top of the beach at West Portholland warns against bathing when the sea is rough, tells swimmers to stay in the centre of the beach, and makes clear there is no lifeguard service.

The Coastguard volunteers who turned out on Wednesday are on call 24 hours a day for emergencies on the coast. Both swimmers lived to tell the tale, but the team was blunt about how close it came. The sea does not often give second chances.

📷Credit: Mevagissey Coastguard

📷Credit: Mevagissey Coastguard