The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has launched a five-episode podcast to mark 25 years since the rollout of its lifeguarding service – featuring conversations with lifeguards, those who have been rescued and exploring how they have been making beaches safer since 2001.
The podcast, titled We Are Lifeguards, launched at the end of March which coincided with the lifeguards’ return to beaches around the UK and the Channel Islands.
One of the stories featured is Richard Wright who collapsed and fell unconscious on Fistral Beach in Newquay, Cornwall.
Speaking of the incident, Richard said: ‘It was a mild day, I had on my 5mm wetsuit, so I wasn’t cold, and I was helping my daughters catch a few waves in the lifeguarded area of the beach.
‘After a while I walked back up the beach to the dunes where we’d set up camp, happy with the session I’d had in the water. I chatted to my wife, Tracey, as I untangled myself from my wetsuit. Then I suddenly felt extraordinarily light-headed.’
Richard then fell unconscious, later learning three of his arteries were blocked and he’d need a triple heart bypass.
‘There are missing bits of the story for me,’ he added. ‘I came round on the beach, lying on my side in the sand, with a gaggle of people around me.
‘I knew something had happened, but I didn’t know what exactly. In hospital, the physicians were very clear; the speed of the lifeguards had saved my life.’
For the last 25 years, RNLI lifeguards have been making beaches safer. They share safety advice, provide first aid to those who need it and save the lives of those who get in trouble in the water.
During that time, they have made more than 48 million preventative actions, attended more than 330,000 incidents and aided more than 440,000 people on beaches around the UK and the Channel Islands.
Peter Dawes, General Manager of Lifeguard Operations, said: ‘Since our lifeguarding service began in 2001, we’ve seen more people visit our beaches and enjoying the water.
‘Our highly trained, capable and skilled lifeguards spend their time talking to people, sharing our safety advice and educating visitors about the dangers. As well as carrying out rescues and first aid.
‘The launch of this podcast not only marks our 25th anniversary, but also the return of lifeguards to beaches ahead of what will be another busy summer. If you are heading to the coast, be sure to choose an RNLI lifeguarded beach.’
You can listen to We Are Lifeguards at https://rnli.org/WeAreLifeguards or wherever you find your podcasts.
