Busy Bank Holiday for RNLI Lifeguards Across Cornwall and Devon

A swimmer was minutes from going under when lifeguards reached them off Gwithian Beach on Bank Holiday Monday, one of several life-threatening incidents that kept RNLI crews across the south west stretched to their limits over the long weekend.

Warm weather drew thousands of people to beaches across Cornwall and Devon, and lifeguards responded to rescues, first aid emergencies and hundreds of preventative actions to keep beachgoers safe.

Mass Rescue at Gwithian

Sunday 24th May proved one of the busiest days for the Gwithian team. Lifeguards carried out a mass rescue involving four casualties while at the same time coordinating a search for two missing children. The team handled both situations together, working calmly under pressure.

The following day brought another serious incident at the same beach. A member of the public entered the water in an area with strong currents that lifeguards had been keeping under continuous observation.

Lifeguard Jacob Morrall, watching from the beach lifeguard unit, spotted the casualty in trouble. By the time lifeguards reached them, the swimmer had been swept between 50 and 100 metres offshore and was starting to submerge. The team brought them ashore and monitored their condition.

Rip Current Rescue at Treyarnon

At Treyarnon Beach, lifeguards diverted an inshore rescue boat that had been out on a training exercise to help a swimmer caught in a rip current. The casualty could not get back to shore on their own and was reached quickly and returned to the beach.

135 Incidents Across South Hams

Over in Devon, lifeguards at Challaborough, Bantham and Sedgewell Cove dealt with 135 incidents across the three day weekend.

Across the region, lifeguards also carried out hundreds of preventative actions, talking to beachgoers, pointing out hazards and encouraging swimmers to stay between the red and yellow flags.

Float to Live

Henry Saddler-Irvine, RNLI Regional Lifeguard Lead, said RNLI teams across the whole south west had been incredibly busy, with thousands visiting the beach and hundreds of people in the water each day.

“Our RNLI lifeguard teams continue to work very hard keeping beachgoers and water users safe as the hot weather continues this week during half term. We urge anyone heading to the coast to choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the flags,” he said.

Henry also reminded swimmers of the charity’s Float to Live advice. Cold water, anything below 15C, triggers a gasp reflex that can cause people to panic and fight the water. The RNLI urges anyone who falls in or gets into difficulty to tilt their head back with ears submerged, try to breathe normally and move their hands and legs to stay afloat. Legs sinking is fine, as everyone floats differently. Once breathing is under control, swimmers can call for help or swim to safety.

The RNLI is reminding anyone heading to the coast this half term to pick a lifeguarded beach where possible, check conditions before getting in the water and avoid using inflatables in offshore winds.

If you see someone struggling in the water, call 999, tell them to stay calm and float on their back, and throw rescue equipment to help them stay afloat until emergency services arrive.

📷RNLI lifeguards on patrol at Constantine - Credit: Peter Hicks