03/28/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

RNLI urges beach visitors in Wales to stay safe this Bank Holiday

WITH sunny and warm weather predicted this weekend, The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) are reminding people to stay safe and listen to advice from the charity’s lifesavers, when in and around the water.

With Wales’ beaches expected to be busy, the charity that saves lives at sea, are asking people visiting the coast to plan their trip and head to a lifeguarded beach for an enjoyable and safe time.

Throughout the summer, lifeguards have carried out rescues involving people caught in rip currents, cut off by the tide and stranded on inflatables plus many other issues. There are thirty-nine RNLI lifeguarded beaches around the Welsh coast, where trained professionals are patrolling and ensuring public safety.

Following several serious incidents on UK beaches this summer, the RNLI are reminding everyone to check tidal times, choose a lifeguarded beach and avoid using inflatables in the sea. This is especially important for those less familiar with the beach environment so make sure you read local signage and follow any advice given.

Max Evans, Lifeguard Supervisor for Denbighshire, said:

‘Although the weather might be nice, sea conditions are still unpredictable and can change all throughout the day. The tides often come in and out very quickly and rip currents can develop rapidly.

‘Our lifeguards are there to offer advice, so if you are unsure about anything, don’t hesitate to ask a lifeguard. They will be able to provide information on tide times and guide you to the safest area to swim which will be between the red and yellow flags.’

The RNLI advises that if you ever fall into the water unexpectedly or begin to struggle, make sure that you Float to Live. The natural reaction is to thrash around and attempt to swim but this can increase the chances of you breathing in water. Your safest option is to FLOAT on your back to keep your airway clear and get your breathing under control. This will allow you to call for help of plan your next move to safety.

If you do see someone in trouble in the water, call 999 or 112 immediately and ask for the Coastguard. Do not enter the water to try and save them as you will put yourself at risk. If possible, try to find something that floats and throw it towards them or tell them to FLOAT on their back until help arrives.

RNLI lifeguards provide cover on over 240 beaches in the UK and Channel Islands and are solely funded by public donations. They are highly skilled with world class training and equipment, so they are ready to help prevent incidents and to respond if people get into difficulty in the water.

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