RNLI Lifeguards Report 2018 RNLI LIFEGUARDS REPORT 2018

Contents

Our lifesaving values 3 Influence, Education, Supervise, Rescue 4 Service delivery 5 Data collection 6 Lifeguard definitions 7 Lifeguard statistics overview 8 Summary of incidents attended, people aided 9 and actions taken by lifeguards Actions taken by lifeguards by report area 10 and type Training 11 Youth engagement in the community 12 International 13 Awareness, fundraising and face-to-face 14 Research 17 Equipment and infrastructure 18 Media 19 News 20 Casualty care in action 22 RNLI lifeguarded beaches 2018 25 RNLI lifeguard regions 34

Photo: RNLI/Nathan Williams 2 RNLI LIFEGUARDS REPORT 2018

Our lifesaving values

RNLI lifeguards can once again be justifiably 5. Equipment proud of the service they gave to their The RNLI prides itself on being able to equip communities in 2018. They provided over our lifesaving teams with the equipment 206,888 supervised beach patrol hours. they need to perform their roles in all the During the season, RNLI lifeguards performed conditions they may encounter. 3,430,580 preventative actions and assisted some 32,207 people through everything from rescue and The RNLI and the lifeguard service will casualty care to searches for missing persons. continue to evolve and improve in 2019. There All RNLI lifesaving delivery services have will be some changes to personnel including a adopted five key areas that they deliver against. new structure for our frontline management These are: with lead supervisors now appointed as part of the management team. The RNLI has also 1. Safety culture appointed a community lifesaving director – Through development of a strong safety and will have a new chief executive officer as culture we aim to look after our people part of the senior leadership setting the future in what is a very dynamic and potentially direction of our lifesaving strategy. hazardous environment. 2. Community lifesaving plan Lifeguarding is not simply about performing Our team at RNLI Headquarters rescues. Lifeguards are primarily deploying a supporting lifeguard services: preventative approach both on and off the Peter Dawes beach with education programmes informing Lifesaving Services Manager beach visitors on how to stay safe. Lee Fisher 3. Lifesaving performance Lifeguard Services Manager The lifeguard management teams monitor Brett Shepherd their lifesaving performance as part of Operations Manager (Lifeguards) continuous improvement and strive for excellence in lifesaving delivery. Marina Wilson Lifeguard Services Coordinator Lifeguards RNLI Photo: 4. Personnel The lifeguards themselves are at the core of Tim Fallowfield our lifeguarding service and each year there is Lifeguard Services Coordinator the challenge of recruiting and training some Contact us at: 1,500 lifeguards who will be at the frontline of [email protected] our service delivery.

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Influence Educate Supervise Rescue

Non- Number of Contracted supervised Assistance 2,483 RNLI 206,888 RNLI children bathing hours Rescue, including 12,037 Beach safety Meet the Preventative actions 3,430,580 mass rescue 248 6 123,361 assessments Lifeguards* Casualty care and minor Lives saved 118 13,587 Hit the Surf 7,309 first aid Audits 16 40 Total lifeguard Search 313 130,670 Quick scans 0 0 beach safety advice Near miss 466

Missing/found 1,731

Non-aquatic assistance, 10,807 including from sandbanks

* 2018 offered the same variety of activities and False alarm 107 programmes but they are now reported differently. In previous years, separate figures were recorded for Lifeskills/Crucial Crew, events and beach safety talks. Animals 160 These are now included in the total figure for Meet the Lifeguards. Other 430

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Service delivery

Beach safety assessments • no quick scans (short-version The RNLI offers a beach safety beach safety assessments) assessment consultancy service to were completed all local authorities and private • signage audit reports were provided beach owners. for 17 beaches, bringing the total of The assessment process is designed non-RNLI beaches to 262 to help facilitate a comprehensive • we responded to requests for public beach safety management strategy rescue equipment audit reports by highlighting hazards and for 23 beaches; 160 non-RNLI assigning ratings and suggested beaches have now benefitted from control measures. this service. A beach safety assessment is Service development completed for each RNLI lifeguarded The total number of RNLI beach beach every 5 years, with annual lifeguard units in 2018 was 248, reviews of the full beach safety one down from 2017, with Pink assessments. Bay no longer lifeguarded for For non-RNLI beaches, the following operational reasons. were completed in 2018: During 2018, the estimated number • 6 beaches were fully assessed, of beach visitors to the 248 beaches bringing the total number of non- covered by RNLI lifeguards was over RNLI beaches assessed to 453 19 million (19,290,734). Photo: RNLI/Steve Berriman Photo: RNLI Lifeguards RNLI Photo:

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Data collection

Incident data is collected from lifeguards and flood rescue teams on paper incident forms. Lifeboat crews complete an electronic return of service. These returns are entered, processed, checked and validated at RNLI Headquarters by the Service Information Section and Operations Research Unit. This incident data provides the basis for the statistics in this report. Since replacing our database with a web-based application called Lifesaving Activity Reporting (LSAR), we can collect incident information in a more structured way. This allows us to develop what information we capture and how we capture it for the future. We can now breakdown the lifeguard data in more detail and can report on incidents, the number of people we aid, as well as the number of actions our lifeguards perform. In previous years, we have used the number of lifeguard actions as the measure of people aided due to the way our previous system collected Lifeguards RNLI Photo: information. This meant there was a small amount of duplication but now, with the new LSAR system, we can accurately give the number of people aided in addition to the number of lifeguard actions performed.

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Lifeguard definitions

Actions taken by lifeguards – casualty according to RNLI casualty Near miss – when a lifeguard the number of different ways that care protocols. observes an incident, event or lifeguards deal with incidents. condition that does not cause Any one casualty could receive False alarm – when a lifeguard death or serious injury but has the multiple actions by lifeguards. Actions responds to an incident where a potential to do so. where no people are involved are person is believed to be in difficulty also included. but upon arrival it is confirmed they Non-aquatic assistance, including do not require assistance. from sandbanks – when a lifeguard Animals – when a lifeguard rescues assists a person who was not in the or assists an animal to safety. Incident – any situation that RNLI water, or clears a sandbank of people lifeguards are involved in. who are at risk and ensures they Assistance – where a lifeguard aids return to shore. a person in the sea who is at low risk Life saved – where, if a lifeguard but, if left, would be at risk. had not intervened, a life would have Other – anything else that does been lost. not fit into the specified categories. Beach visitors – the number of beach visitors is assessed by recording Mass rescue – where there are five People aided – the total number of an estimate, every 2 hours, of the or more people at risk and a lifeguard people that lifeguards have aided. number of beach users within the physically returns them to shore or lifeguard patrol areas, those in the transfers them to a rescue craft. Preventative action – any action water between the red and yellow taken by a lifeguard that provides flags, and those using surf and other Minor first aid – where a lifeguard advice, guidance or direction to a craft between the black and white treats a casualty due to sickness or person that mitigates against risk. flags. The highest number for each injury who is at low or no risk but category each day is then used to requires treatment to ensure the risk Rescue – where a lifeguard responds obtain the overall number. does not increase. to a person at risk and physically returns them to shore or transfers Body recovery – where a lifeguard Missing/found – where a lifeguard them to another rescue craft. assists in the location of children, Photo: RNLI Lifeguards RNLI Photo: responds to an incident knowing that they will be required to recover separated from their parents/ Search – an organised search, a body. This includes those in the sea guardians, or other people who have with other search and rescue units, or on land. been found or reported missing, for a missing person either at sea including those who are known to be or on land. Casualty care – where a lifeguard missing as a result of an incident in or formally assesses and/or treats a on the water.

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Lifeguard statistics overview

Lifeguards Number Photo: RNLI/Nathan Williams Incidents 19,449

Lives saved 118

People aided 32,207

Actions taken by lifeguards 42,239

Preventative actions 3,430,580

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Summary of incidents attended, people aided and actions taken by lifeguards

Actions taken Report area Incidents People aided by lifeguards Carrick and Kerrier 2,404 2,670 2,835

Chichester 369 403 391

East Dorset and Jersey 2,142 2,268 2,278

East England 988 1,129 1,127

Newquay and Padstow 2,857 3,280 3,374

North Cornwall, North Devon and Somerset 1,032 1,254 1,328

North East England 1,135 1,276 1,285

North Wales and North West England 1,618 12,076 21,679

Northern Ireland 223 252 260

Penwith 1,885 2,271 2,246

Ramsgate 772 887 920

Rother and Hastings 390 409 408

Scotland 222 348 430 Photo: RNLI/Sydney Horsted South East Cornwall 442 487 490

South Wales 919 1,026 1,033

West Dorset and South Devon 1,468 1,562 1,554

West Wales 583 609 601

Totals 19,449 32,207 42,239

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Actions taken by lifeguards by report area and type

Non-aquatic assistance, Report area Lives Rescue Assistance Casualty Minor Search Missing/ Mass including Near False Animals Other Total saved care first aid found rescue from miss alarm sandbanks Carrick and Kerrier 26 262 212 100 1,879 21 120 147 35 6 9 7 11 2,835 Chichester 0 2 34 31 211 16 38 23 4 23 1 2 6 391 East Dorset and Jersey 6 123 156 177 1,404 25 238 34 13 54 12 10 26 2,278 East England 6 55 101 85 579 38 92 103 4 23 8 3 30 1,127 Newquay and Padstow 13 354 422 203 2,105 6 123 84 9 25 12 6 12 3,374

North Cornwall, North Devon 6 205 208 85 551 15 148 79 14 3 4 2 8 1,328 and Somerset North East England 9 69 160 97 642 48 154 41 20 18 5 7 15 1,285

North Wales and North 5 29 167 69 445 47 141 9,678 10,625 138 8 73 254 21,679 West England Northern Ireland 2 10 43 18 133 3 30 5 1 3 6 1 5 260 Penwith 8 234 459 56 1,350 2 22 32 25 18 13 19 8 2,246 Ramsgate 6 40 84 40 442 3 159 56 8 47 7 7 21 920 Rother and Hastings 3 13 35 24 175 17 131 0 2 1 6 0 1 408 Scotland 0 10 32 6 146 6 22 112 2 86 0 3 5 430 South East Cornwall 4 49 11 12 361 1 8 8 15 8 5 3 5 490 South Wales 14 59 154 85 442 23 212 6 20 1 2 6 9 1,033 West Dorset and South Devon 7 95 174 89 1,046 36 75 0 5 12 5 8 2 1,554 West Wales 3 20 31 44 455 6 18 0 5 0 4 3 12 601

Totals 118 1,629 2,483 1,221 12,366 313 1,731 10,408 10,807 466 107 160 430 42,239

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Training

This year we have approximated The 2018 lifeguard season our statistics for the number of began with a much more coherent lifeguards trained in any discipline, lifeguard supervisor induction rollout. craft or vehicle because of the hugely Our team of LGATs, led by our new successful new delivery model we Senior Assessor Trainer Phil Ritchie, have with our team of lifeguard revalidated and prepared our assessor trainers (LGATs). 150 lifeguard supervisors to be As we integrate this more effectively able to deliver the same excellent with our competency management standard of training and assessment systems, we will have more ability to to our entire lifeguard service. This report on the huge benefits realised includes all our craft and vehicle from delivering lifeguard training in qualifications as well as management this way. and leadership.

The table shows the training courses delivered in 2018 and the number of lifeguards trained

Number of Course title lifeguards trained Casualty Care (CC4LG) – full, initial 1,193 and revalidation Operational Leadership (OLC) 91

Operational Administration (OAC) 23

Lifeguard Trainer Assessor (TA) - theory 91

Equipment Trainer Assessor including Inshore Rescue Boat Helm (IRBH) and Crew (IRBC), Photo: RNLI Lifeguards RNLI Photo: 112* All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), Rescue Water Craft (RWC) and Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) – practical

* Trainer assessor (TA) verifications In 2018, there were approximately 112 lifeguard trainer assessor verifications, making 86% of all trainer assessors across the organisation lifeguards. These lifeguard trainer assessors went on to train in excess of 200 lifeguards.

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Youth engagement in the community

In 2018, RNLI lifeguards continued level as last year, interest in them Youth programme, along with the to deliver their Youth Engagement remained very high. Youth Education Team’s school programme to primary and secondary The Meet the Lifeguards programme visits and the programme of visits to schools, youth groups and the wider was delivered to 123,361 children lifeboat stations. This means that we community throughout the UK during the summer and winter can get our important water safety and Jersey. The Meet the Lifeguards months. RNLI lifeguards worked in messages out to as many young and Hit the Surf programmes schools raising awareness of general people as possible. continue to be popular and lifeguards water safety and particularly the also attended local events and dangers of walking on frozen ponds, Number of Programme council-organised Lifeskills/Crucial lakes and rivers. participants Crew events. The Hit the Surf programme covers These programmes all contribute topics such as the role of a lifeguard, Meet the 123,361 to the RNLI’s lifesaving strategy key beach hazards to look out for, Lifeguards* by helping to achieve the specific the meaning of beach safety flags Hit the Surf 7,309 objective of ‘driving a generational and how to stay safe in the water. In shift in the attitude towards water 2018, this programme reached 7,309 * 2018 offered the same variety of safety’. This is ultimately helping children from schools across the UK activities and programmes but they are the RNLI to work towards the goal and Jersey. now reported differently. In previous years, of a 50% reduction in accidental The lifeguards’ Youth Engagement separate figures were recorded for Lifeskills/ Crucial Crew, events and beach safety talks. coastal fatalities in the UK and Ireland programme continues to be an These are now included in the total figure for by 2024. integral part of the RNLI’s overall Meet the Lifeguards. In 2018, lifeguards delivered core Photos: Brixington Primary Academy/ Photos: Primary Brixington

beach safety messages and safety Batten Angela and MacDonald Keth advice to 130,670 children via the Youth Engagement programme. This total is somewhat lower than in previous years because of changing priorities in some areas, where the use of lifeguards for engagement work has not been possible. However, in areas where the Youth Engagement programmes have run at the same

12 RNLI LIFEGUARDS REPORT 2018 Photo: RNLI/Harrison Bates International

SeaSafe Why are we doing this? The service runs 8 hours a day in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh Drowning is one of the leading cause the winter and increases throughout of child death in Bangladesh, claiming the season up to 12 hours a day in the SeaSafe is a joint initiative between 18,000 lives each year. Cox’s Bazar summer, with the day being split into the RNLI and the Centre for Injury is home to one of the longest morning and afternoon shifts. The Prevention and Research, Bangladesh beaches in the world. Thousands service operates on three beaches in (CIPRB). Established in 2013, the aim of people rely on this stretch of Cox’s Bazar: Laboni, Shugondha and, is to reduce the risk of drowning in coastline to earn a living through most recently, Kolatoli. the coastal area of Cox’s Bazar. The fishing. It is also becoming an For most visitors, it is their first visit key components of the project are: increasingly popular tourist to the beach and many are unable to • the delivery of a full-time destination for the growing swim. The bulk of the SeaSafe Team’s on how to spot the dangers, keep Lifeguarding in Bangladesh is a lifeguard service on three popular Bangladeshi middle class, particularly work consists of raising awareness themselves safe and rescue others very new concept that many don’t from the water. understand. Advocacy and awareness- tourist beaches during festival time when thousands of common hazards and preventing The SwimSafe (survival swimming) raising is needed to help CIPRB lobby • the delivery of water safety of families flock to the coast. Most people needing to be rescued in the aspect of the project began in the government on the importance of education to schoolchildren and of these visitors are unable to swim. first place. November 2016. In 2018, 4 local beach safety in the highest risk areas. communities in high-risk coastal During quieter periods of a shift, The SeaSafe service Since 2017, the Princess Charlene and inland areas of the Cox’s typically from 11am to 2pm, some swimming teachers taught 770 The current SeaSafe Team consists of Monaco Foundation has supported Bazar district lifeguards will be engaged in community children to swim. of 19 lifeguards, 5 senior lifeguards, the SeaSafe project through the education work in various local primary • the delivery of beach safety 1 lifeguard supervisor, 6 community Next steps: Project sustainability RNLI. Going forward, CIPRB are and secondary schools. The community education to tourists educators, 1 community education There are already six SeaSafe lifeguard independently seeking external education programme is delivered by • a learn-to-swim programme for supervisor, 3 swimming instructors, trainers who have been trained by funding to ensure the future the SeaSafe Team using flashcards that children from Cox’s Bazar town and 1 swim teaching supervisor and 1 the RNLI, which means that they can sustainability of the project. illustrate water safety messages specific surrounding areas. project manager. train more lifeguards as and when Moving into 2019, the RNLI’s role to the Cox’s Bazar area. needed. In 2018, those lifeguard will be to provide technical support, The difference it’s making trainers completed verifications guidance and training for lifeguarding, In 2018, SeaSafe lifeguards carried out of current lifeguards and ran a full community education and swim 313,053 preventative actions. They 5-day lifeguard course for new people teaching where needed.

Photo: RNLI/Mike Lavis rescued 40 people from the water interested. Therefore, the SeaSafe and this resulted in no drownings on lifeguard service is now technically SeaSafe lifeguarded beaches. self-sufficient. Since 2013, SeaSafe lifeguards The Community Education Team The RNLI have worked with have rescued 265 people from visited 84 schools, educating 21,937 CIPRB throughout 2018 to develop across the 3 patrolled beaches in schoolchildren. They also educated a sustainability plan to enable the Cox’s Bazar. 9,028 people in the community whole project to be self-sufficient.

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Awareness and fundraising

In addition to their lifesaving duties, campaigns – and took part in local and giving safety advice at the RNLI’s Castle to Castle Open Water Swim RNLI lifeguards continued to raise Mayday events. holiday camps. Photo: RNLI/Dave Nicoll awareness and valuable funds for They attended many of the lifeboat the charity in 2018, working stations’ Lifeboat Days around our Here are just some of the local alongside and supporting the work coast, providing both static and live events lifeguards were involved in. of RNLI fundraising groups and displays in addition to providing support South West England lifeboat stations. for the events behind the scenes. In May, lifeguards in south west During May, they played an active RNLI lifeguards also helped to England supported the Croft Water role in promoting Mayday – one of promote our new partnership Mayday Funday by demonstrating the RNLI’s biggest annual fundraising with Haven, assisting with events lifeguard equipment and rescues and providing water safety advice to family audiences. The event raised £3,500 for the RNLI. For the 3rd year running, RNLI lifeguards at Burnham-on-Sea supported the 3.5K Rainbow Race, raising £2,000 for the RNLI. They provided safety and first aid cover at the race ensuring all entrants were safe whilst running the beach course. RNLI lifeguards and local Surf The RNLI Around the Mount Open Water Swim at Marazion Lifesaving Clubs in Cornwall once Photo: RNLI/Guy Botterill again supported both the RNLI Castle to Castle Open Water Swim in June beaches and radios for communication Lifeguard supervisors from Boldon and the RNLI Around the Mount throughout the events, working provided operational support to the Open Water Swim in September. alongside the local lifeboat crews. Tall Ships Races in Sunderland and The lifeguard teams helped plan helped to raise funds. They offered the events, risk assessed them and North and East England developed the water safety plans, Lifeguards across Norfolk and Suffolk support in the form of equipment and with the lifeguard supervisors being continued to support the fundraising advice throughout the event and were the water safety managers at both efforts of the RNLI throughout the on hand to answer any questions. events. The teams provided safety summer season. They supported the Without this support it would have cover on rescue boards, rescue Mayday event in Norwich City Centre been difficult to organise such a Burnham-on-Sea RNLI’s annual Rainbow Race watercraft and inshore rescue boats, and helped to raise vital awareness at high-profile event in such a short Photo: RNLI/Mike Lang as well as first aid cover on the events such as SaxFest in Saxmundham. space of time.

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Ireland new route was trialled and everyone South East England In Northern Ireland, lifeguards stepped up to provide the extra In May, Chichester lifeguards supported a variety of events including flexibility that was required. were heavily involved in the Mayday the Portrush Raft Race where they Prompted by the rescue of two of Yellow Welly Relay. They started continued to provide safety cover. their residents by Moelfre lifeboat by paddle boarding the yellow The raft race is the largest RNLI event crew, an Anglesey holiday park asked welly around Southsea Pier and in Northern Ireland and raises in the RNLI for help with a fundraising then transported the yellow excess of £20,000 each year for the event. The opportunity to work welly from Hayling Island to RNLI. Lifeguards gave their support with the holiday park’s residents – a Littlehampton via Haven’s Church by demonstrating lifesaving kit and new audience – on both safety and Farm Holiday Village in one of their skills for children aged 10–15 years fundraising was not to be missed. lifeguard vans. who were taking part in the Rookie Lifeguards from north east Wales In June, they were the focus point Lifeguard Challenge on Portrush travelled to Anglesey, where there of our presence at the Sweat Southsea West Strand. is currently no lifeguard service, to Fitness Festival where they supplied At Newcastle, Co Down, lifeguards run safety sessions for children in the equipment and helped run exercise supported the lifeboat station’s park’s swimming pool and provide challenges for the public to get fundraising efforts at the annual beach safety advice for families involved in. ahead of the busy summer season. And Chichester lifeguards were RNLI lifeguards with a young supporter who completed the Festival of Flight in August by having Fife Mayday Coastal Challenge. Photo: RNLI/Elinor Chalmers collection buckets beside their display The fundraising event which followed keen to make wishes come true of lifesaving safety kit. raised £10,000 for the RNLI. for a young girl called Dora after Lifeguard Supervisor Karl O’Neill Pembroke Fundraising Branch were she approached them with her Scotland the RNLI visible to all those taking joined Community Fundraising joined by two lifeguards for their aspirations of being a lifeguard. In Scotland, lifeguards once again part and spectating. Manager Nicola Kelly at the University annual Castlemartin Range Coastline She had also fundraised for the supported the Fife Mayday Coastal Two lifeguards attended the of Ulster, Coleraine Campus. They Walk. The lifeguards brought a rescue RNLI at her school and as a thank Challenge, raising £9,226.81. The Summer Fun Day at Haven Seton gave a presentation to a packed watercraft and provided a strong RNLI you, the lifeguards met with Dora flagship Mayday event involves a 15- Sands. They really enhanced the auditorium with students from the presence. The walk raised £1,100 for and showed her the ropes, much to mile walk along the Fife coastline from RNLI’s presence there – engaging Sports and Clubs Society at the the RNLI. Dora and her parents’ delight! north Queensferry to Kinghorn and with kids and adults alike and getting Campus, explaining the role of the brings together all local aspects of the involved with the day’s activities. RNLI in their community, water safety RNLI – fundraising branches, lifeboat And there is now a Scottish messaging and fundraising needs. Due stations, lifeguards and coastal safety. Lifeguards Fundraising Group. to the success of the event, a newly- They were also invited to the The group formed in August formed RNLI fundraising branch is Chariots of Fire Beach Race at St and held their first Rescue Board now based at the University of Ulster. Andrews, a third-party event of which Paddle and Swim Challenge from the RNLI was the main beneficiary Burntisland Beach to Kinghorn Beach Wales and West England charity. The annual event takes in September raising £560. The group Lifeguards in south Wales provided places on St Andrews West Sands, members will change year on year safety cover once again at The an RNLI lifeguarded beach, and the and the 2019 coordinator is already Mumbles Lifeboat Raft Race – an race organisers really appreciated the in place with her sights set firmly on annual event which raises an average RNLI Mayday yellow welly relay Photo: RNLI/Roseanne Blaze lifeguards’ presence, helping to make next year’s event! of £15,000 for the RNLI. This year a

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Face-to-face fundraising Photo: RNLI/Nathan Williams Our 150-strong in-house team of seasonal face-to-face (F2F) fundraisers act as ambassadors for the RNLI talking about almost anything to do with the charity. The teams you see at beaches, lifeboat stations and events throughout the UK and Ireland have been thoroughly trained on what the charity does on an international, national and local level so that wherever the conversation flows, they can find a connection and a relevance to inspire each person about the RNLI. The F2F Team not only aims to raise funds for the RNLI, but also to talk confidently about how people can help to keep themselves safer at the coast. The team has always shared key beach safety messages, and in the last few years the team has helped to support the Respect the Water campaign and bring the Float to Live message to life. The F2F Team spoke to over 220,000 children and adults with targeted and relevant safety messages in 2018, potentially leading to lifesaving behaviour change. This is crucial for our drowning prevention work. The F2F Team work collaboratively in the local community working alongside RNLI volunteers, lifesavers and stakeholders – each supporting the other to achieve their goals. Working like this enabled the team to inspire over 18,000 new supporters in 2018, which contributes £3.5million annually to the RNLI. This is so important for the RNLI and it builds on the great work of our volunteer fundraisers who relentlessly raise awareness of the RNLI each and every day.

16 RNLI LIFEGUARDS REPORT 2018 Photo: RNLI Lifeguards RNLI Photo: Research

Updating the Beach Risk the coast to fill in some of our gaps statistical model that determined Assessment Project in knowledge and to provide simple the relationship between each Previous work with the School of reports for beach assessors to use. predictor and each predictand, Marine Science and Engineering validate the model against unseen at Plymouth University and the Background to the research data, and finally use the model to Department of Management Science The original aim of the project in make predictions of the life risk at at Strathclyde University helped us 2014/15 was to create a model of risk beaches where this information was model and predict life risk on British for beaches, applicable throughout not available. beaches, allowing us to use this the British Isles, to inform a wider As a result of that project we have information to aid further risk analysis review of how the RNLI might roll a ranking of 644 beaches in the UK at highlighted coastal locations. out its provision of lifeguard services by risk. That assessment used data confidence intervals which means, for to make additional predictions of in- In 2018, we approached the to beaches that were currently not from 2009-14 and so the aim of the example, that only 125 beaches need water population at British beaches, University of Plymouth’s Coastal patrolled by the RNLI. update was both to update the risk to be visited by RNLI risk assessors to Marine Applied Research Team The research approach was assessment (and revalidate the risk and to back-calculate a prediction of be confident that the top 50 highest (CMAR) to refresh the work with data to gather a number of variables model), using more recent data, and Hazard level at those beaches. Using risk beaches are assessed, compared from more recent years. In addition, (predictors) that are believed to produce a simple document for each this approach, Exposure, Hazard, to 155 beaches if using the original this was an opportunity to extend our affect the number and type of beach beach detailing the risk which would and Life Risk predictions were rolled model predictions in 2014. risk assessment from identified ‘at users and the life risk at a given be easier to use by beach assessors out to 640 British beaches where all The model variables indicated that risk’ beaches to more widely across beach (predictands), develop a and other staff. the required predictor variables are the presence of intermediate (bar-rip) currently available. Evolution of the updated model beach morphology combined with The original spreadsheet tool Using only six different predictor large summer waves has the strongest developed in 2014 has been updated variables (wave height, intermediate association with increased Life Risk at for 2018 with the new predictions morphology, enclosed beach, British beaches. As well as featuring of Exposure, Hazard, and Life Risk designated bathing water, RNLI in the new Life Risk model, these enabling RNLI managers to sort and lifeguards and car parking area within two variables have, between them, prioritise beaches in different ways. In 1km), the direct Life Risk regression featured in all the 2014 Hazard and model was able to capture 30% of Exposure models, confirming that addition, there is a new tool allowing the variance in Life Risk. Overall, the they increase both bathing hazard and RNLI managers to print off reports on Photo: RNLI Lifeguards RNLI Photo: model was able to rank beaches by water-user numbers, and are therefore risk for each beach. Life Risk to within ± 22% of where key Life Risk predictors. The RNLI offers a free beach safety they were observed to be in the audit service to all local authorities training dataset rankings. Practical application of the model and private beach operators interested Compared to the original Life Risk The new Life Risk model was used in improving safety on any of the model, the updated version has tighter alongside the updated Exposure model beaches they are responsible for.

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Equipment and infrastructure

The RNLI constantly reviews and infrastructures within the natural adapts its rescue service to the and urban environment in which they evolving demands of lifesaving are located. to ensure our lifesavers have the The RNLI has 545 lifeguard assets. facilities and equipment they need The number of permanent lifeguard and deserve. Operating in a dynamic units remained unchanged in 2018, beach environment, lifeguards need with a total of 66. Each permanent the perfect spaces that can lifeguard unit offers a self-contained be positioned anywhere from cliff lookout with power, water, gas stove tops and sand dunes to shingle and storage solutions so that effective beaches and promenades. Spaces lifeguard cover can be provided on that can withstand the elements the beaches. The permanent buildings with minimal maintenance. comprise 29 support centres, 29 The safety and wellbeing of our ancillary buildings and 23 fixed lifeguards is paramount and all container stores. lifeguard equipment and facilities There were 398 transient lifeguard are designed to support their units in 2018, which comprise 184 lifesaving activities in these harsh temporary static units (an increase coastal environments. of 7 on 2017), 50 wheeled units, 130 Both environmental and aesthetic rescue board bins (an increase of 7 criteria also need to be satisfied when on 2017) and 34 shipping containers, integrating buildings and temporary some of which are hired seasonally.

Facility type Total Photo: RNLI Lifeguards RNLI Photo: Permanent lifeguard units 66

Permanent buildings or structures 81

Transient lifeguard units 398

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Media

During 2018, the RNLI Media • BBC Breakfast broadcast a live Float • The Times reported on safety Engagement Team continued to raise to Live demonstration. information for beach visitors in the

awareness about lifeguards, the work event of being stung by a weever Show One Photo: The • National coverage from Fistral they do and the importance of beach fish following an increase in the Beach in Newquay for our Respect safety. Between 1 January and 31 number of reported stings. December there were 1,928 items the Water campaign with interviews Real-life footage of print and broadcast coverage in primarily with Lifeguard Supervisor Lewis Timson. News and radio websites used footage national and regional media. These , BBC online from our Contour cameras. reached over 60 million people with • Saving Lives at Sea series 3 featured Actual rescue footage of lifeguards an advertising value equivalent of over rescues by RNLI lifeguards. £2.4 million. in Newquay rescuing 16 people at • BBC’s The One Show broadcast from once using a rescue watercraft on Media training Advertising value equivalent Highlights Weymouth Beach with important Fistral Beach was used by the Daily Media training was delivered It is notoriously difficult to accurately • National broadcast and print safety messages to people using Mirror. Regional television broadcasts throughout the year by the RNLI calculate the equivalent monetary value of PR and communications media attended a media morning inflatables in the sea from RNLI continued to use helmet camera Media Engagement Team so that compared with paid-for advertising. at Boscombe Beach in May where Senior Lifeguard Jake Guildford. footage to illustrate news stories lifeguards are equipped with the Although the advertising value RNLI spokespeople gave interviews about lifeguards and rescues. necessary skills and confidence to urging people to respect the water • BBC Northern Ireland did a feature deal with the media. An integral part equivalent (AVE) is a crude and explaining our Float to Live piece on careers including looking at Social media of operational training, the sessions measurement, it does provide a useful benchmark. From 1 January to message. the role of being an RNLI lifeguard. There was significant positive activity recognise the important role that 31 December 2018, the advertising on the RNLI’s social media channels lifeguards play as the face of the RNLI. such as Facebook and Twitter. A value of the 1,928 items of lifeguard coverage was estimated at £2.4 Facebook post about the training that Media evaluation million (£2,481,882). our lifeguards undertake had 57,535 Media coverage was evaluated at video views and reached 223,700 the end of 2018 and, although not people. Another post about reminding exhaustive, it provides a useful families to visit a lifeguarded beach if snapshot of public relations (PR) heading to the coast in the summer activity and media coverage secured holidays received 132,453 video views during the year. and reached 299,322 people. Both Facebook posts received many positive Total volume of coverage comments and likes. Other links The volume of coverage for lifeguards to videos and pictures of lifeguard from 1 January to 31 December rescues received many hundreds of 2018 is 1,928 items of print and BBC Breakfast click-throughs. broadcast coverage.

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News

RNLI lifeguards were involved in 25 May 7 August 19,449 incidents and aided 32,207 Surfer saved from Gwithian lifeguards rescue people in 2018. Here is just a snapshot of their activity as reported in the drowning on her birthday family caught in rip current It was a team effort to rescue a family news highlighting the invaluable work RNLI Lifeguard Tim McDowell saved of five after they got caught in a rip they do in rescue and prevention and the lives of two people in two separate in raising awareness and funds. current off Gwithian Beach and incidents; one involving a person stuck were being swept out to sea to the in a rip current on their birthday and 16 May south of the red and yellow flags. another swimmer who was suffering RNLI Lifeguard Andrea Harvey RNLI lifeguards train from the effects of cold water. Arcadia Bathing Club reached the family on a rescue board 26 June which helped them stay afloat. members to be lifesavers Lifeguard Supervisor Ollie Shilston Lifeguards in Scotland assisted one child back using a rescue Two RNLI lifeguards provided training return to beaches in time tube while Andrea and colleague to members of the Arcadia Bathing for heatwave RNLI Lifeguard Tim McDowell on Boscombe Beach Anna Piotrowicz helped the Club in Portrush which will enable Photo: RNLI/Rich Ward remaining four casualties ashore. them to respond as lifeguards in the RNLI lifeguards on Scotland’s seven RNLI Lifeguard Barney Stevens also event of anyone getting into trouble lifeguarded beaches were excited to continued to remain high. They urged tide cut them off. Rhyl RNLI lifeguards assisted in the rescue using the in or near the water. welcome visitors as temperatures people to stay safe by swimming in worked alongside Rhyl RNLI lifeboat rescue watercraft. between the red and yellow flags. volunteers and the Rhyl Coastguard They warned that whilst the air Rescue Team to warn beach users temperature is higher, the water and guide them to safety. remains very cold throughout the year and gave our Float to Live message 23 July should anyone find themselves or Waterlogged puffin anybody else in trouble. rescued by Filey lifeguards 10 July RNLI lifeguards at Filey made an 1,400 people assisted off unusual rescue when they went to help sandbanks after getting cut a waterlogged puffin that was in danger off by the tide of drowning off the North Yorkshire Members of Arcadia Bathing beach. They brought the puffin to Club with RNLI Lifeguard Over 1,400 people needed to be shore and into the care of a local bird Supervisor Karl O’Neill RNLI Lifeguard Scott Brierley rescuing the Photo: RNLI Lifeguards assisted off sandbanks as the flooding sanctuary to make a full recovery. waterlogged puffin. Photo: RNLI Lifeguards

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9 August 23 August New beach safety Whitsand Bay demonstrations lifeguards complete by lifeguards in an 8.5-mile paddle south Cornwall challenge Lifeguards in south Cornwall held Using nothing but their arms, six regular demonstrations promoting RNLI lifeguards from Whitsand Bay community lifesaving to beachgoers. paddled 8.5 miles on their rescue Their aim was to inform beachgoers of boards from Tregantle Beach to key safety messages and the important Looe Harbour to raise money for a work the RNLI carries out. The sessions new rescue board. They completed Whitsand Bay lifeguards on their included an explanation of the casualty the gruelling open water challenge 8.5-mile Rescue Board Paddle Challenge Photo: RNLI/Ian Foster care equipment followed by a rescue in 3 hours 45 minutes and were demonstration and details about how escorted into the harbour by Looe’s to get involved in lifeguarding. RNLI inshore lifeboat. 4 September between Porthcothan and Treyarnon. 27 September Whitesands lifeguards The lifeguards launched the inshore Jersey lifeguards take to rescue boat based at Constantine and RNLI lifeguards helped the pilot of first on scene as plane the sea for Super League a light aircraft that ditched close to found the springer spaniel trapped in shore on Whitesands Beach ditches into the sea a cove at the bottom of the cliff with Triathlon Photo: RNLI/Sam Trevor an incoming tide. RNLI Lifeguard Ed Twelve RNLI lifeguards in two teams RNLI lifeguards offered immediate Hanwell swam from the boat into stood by on rescue watercraft and assistance at Whitesands when a the cove with a surfboard leash, rescue boards for all the swim races light aircraft ditched into the sea, secured Lola and swam her back to during the Super League Triathlon – an close to the shore. The lifeguards the boat. Once back on shore, the event which sees the best 50 triathletes assessed the pilot’s condition and lifeguards used their casualty care in the world competing in St Helier helped him up the beach to the skills to clean her injuries, bandage Marina. In the event of a larger incident, lifeguard unit where they waited for a wound on her tummy and give her both St Helier and St Catherine RNLI an ambulance to arrive. Luckily the lots of love and cuddles. lifeboats were also standing by. beach was quiet and there were no other injuries to anyone else.

20 September North Cornwall lifeguards rescue Lola the dog RNLI lifeguards patrolling the beaches in north Cornwall rescued Lola the dog who had fallen 12m off a cliff The 2018 RNLI Lifeguard Team in Jersey. Photo: RNLI Lifeguards

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Casualty care in action

The 2018 season saw RNLI lifeguards carry out 13,587 medical actions with 1,221 of them being more serious. Within the serious incident category, lifeguards carry out full resuscitations, as shown in the rescue below.

‘The RNLI Casualty Care course is excellent and gives anyone who completes it all the skills they need to provide emergency care for all casualties until paramedics arrive or the casualties can be taken to hospital.’ Lewis Timson, Lifeguard Supervisor Photo: RNLI Lifeguards RNLI Photo:

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Filey RNLI lifeguards help RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor Matt save a life on the beach Jones said: ‘The lifeguards did an incredible job and demonstrated At 12.05pm on Tuesday 17 July, the high-quality training they the quick response of three RNLI receive in providing casualty care. lifeguards helped save the life of a Their prompt actions and early use fisherman who had suffered a cardiac of the defibrillator saved the man’s arrest on Filey Beach. life. As a team, we couldn’t be more proud. We are seeing a rise ‘We are seeing a rise in situations in situations that require medical that require medical attention attention and the more we all train and the more we all train together, the more effective all together, the more effective all agencies work together. agencies work together.’ ‘We’d like to thank Gary Wilson for his help and support of the Matt Jones, lifeguards, the paramedics of Yorkshire RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor Ambulance Service for their quick response, and Filey Coastguard Rescue The man was unconscious against Team for their effective coordination his truck, which had been driven and crowd management. onto the beach to recover a fishing The RNLI lifeguards who helped save ‘Above all else, we are thankful that the fisherman’s life. Left to right: Cavan boat. A young boy who was with the the man has made a rapid recovery Walker, Henry Baxter and Scott Brierly. Photo: RNLI/Helen Williams fisherman was trying to revive him. and is doing well.’ Lifeguard Cavan Walker immediately ran over to try to resuscitate the man ‘The lifeguards did an incredible and Lifeguard Scott Brierley joined him with lifesaving equipment. The two job and demonstrated the lifeguards called an ambulance and high-quality training they receive carried out CPR until Senior Lifeguard in providing casualty care. Henry Baxter arrived to help move the As a team, we couldn’t be man further up the beach to dry sand. more proud.’ Local shop owner and Filey RNLI

lifeboat Crew Member Gary Wilson, Matt Jones, Photo: RNLI/Andrew Parish a former lifeguard, helped set up RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor the defibrillator and provided extra support as the lifeguards carried After being discharged from out casualty care. After paramedics hospital, the man visited the lifeguards arrived, the man started showing signs who saved his life, bringing them of recovery. The air ambulance then fresh fish to say thank you and show arrived to take the man to hospital. his appreciation.

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Ingoldmells lifeguards Following the incident, RNLI Lifeguard rescue young boy Supervisor Arun Gray said: ‘This is yet another reminder of why you should unconscious on bodyboard always swim between the red and At around midday on Friday 20 July, yellow flags on a lifeguarded beach. RNLI lifeguards at Ingoldmells spotted ‘Fortunately, Januscz was there a young boy unconscious in the on patrol and was able to get to the water following a number of seizures casualty immediately, before the situation escalated. It may have had whilst bodyboarding. a completely different outcome if the The young bodyboarder was young boy’s brother and father had spending the day at the beach with got into difficulty themselves.’ family and was around 20m out to Januscz said: ‘As an RNLI lifeguard, sea between the red and yellow flags we receive comprehensive casualty when his seizures began. The boy’s care training and are equipped to deal brother was also nearby and his with everything from minor first aid concern for his sibling made it clear through to a lifesaving rescue. that something was wrong. Lifeguard Januscz Burda ‘The training immediately kicked immediately swam out with a rescue in on Friday. I’m so pleased that tube to bring him back to shore. As we were able to assist and that Januscz was bringing the boy back to the boy was OK and well to the beach, the boy’s father also swam enjoy the rest of his day.’ out to assist. Once back on the beach, ‘As an RNLI lifeguard, we receive the boy regained consciousness and, comprehensive casualty care after consulting with paramedics, the training and are equipped lifeguards continued to monitor him in to deal with everything from case of further seizures. minor first aid through to a Thankfully, the young boy was fine lifesaving rescue.’ after a period of observation and care from the lifeguards. Januscz Burda, RNLI Lifeguard Photo: RNLI Lifeguards RNLI Photo:

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RNLI lifeguarded beaches 2018 Photo: RNLI/Nathan Williams

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South West (1)

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South West (2)

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Wales and West

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Northern Ireland

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Scotland

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North and East (1)

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North and East (2)

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33 RNLI LIFEGUARDS REPORT 2018 Photo: RNLI/Andrew Parish RNLI lifeguard regions xxx

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South West

Report area Support centre Beach name Report area Support centre Beach name

Greenhill Gyllyngvase

Weymouth Kennack Weymouth West Bay Polurrian Cove

Lyme Regis Carrick and Kerrier Helston Poldhu Cove

Sandy Bay Gunwalloe

Exmouth Porthleven

Dawlish Dawlish Warren Praa Sands

Teignmouth North Perranuthnoe West Dorset and Teignmouth South Marazion South Devon Blackpool Sands Porthcurno

Slapton Sands Sennen

Hope Cove Gwenver

Thurlestone Porthmeor Kingsbridge Bantham Porthminster

Sedgewell Cove Penwith Hayle Carbis Bay

Bigbury-on-Sea North Porthkidney

Challaborough Hayle Towans

Tregonhawke Mexico Towans

Freathy Upton Towans

South East Cornwall Saltash Sharrow Beach View

Tregantle Gwithian

Seaton Godrevy

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South West (continued)

Report area Support centre Beach name Report area Support centre Beach name Portreath Crackington Haven Porthtowan Black Rock Chapel Porth Widemouth Carrick and Kerrier Perranporth St Agnes Bude Summerleaze Perranporth Crooklets Perran Sands Northcott Holywell North Cornwall, Sandymouth North Devon Crantock and Somerset Westward Ho! Crantock River Sandymere South Fistral Croyde Fistral Mullacott Woolacombe Towan Millrock Newquay Great Western Burnham-on-Sea Tolcarne Berrow Lusty Glaze Porth Newquay and Padstow Watergate Bay Mawgan Porth Porthcothan Treyarnon Constantine Booby’s Padstow Harlyn Trevone Polzeath Trebarwith Strand

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Wales and West

Report area Support centre Beach name Report area Support centre Beach name

Whitmore Newport Sands Llantwit Major Poppit Sands Southerndown Aberporth Bridgend Ogmore Rest Bay Tresaith Coney/Sandy Bay Llangrannog West Wales Cardigan Trecco Bay New Quay Harbour Aberavon Aberystwyth South Swansea Bay Aberystwyth North Langland South Wales Caswell Clarach Three Cliffs Borth Port Eynon Rhyl Pembrey St Asaph Swansea Prestatyn Pendine Sands Amroth West Kirby Saundersfoot Moreton

Tenby North Leasowe Bay Tenby Castle Wirral Harrison Drive Tenby South North Wales and North West England Freshwater West The Plateaux Broad Haven New Brighton (Perch Rock) Nolton Haven Crosby Newgale South West Wales Haverfordwest Formby Newgale Central Formby Ainsdale Newgale North Whitesands Southport

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Northern Ireland Scotland

Report area Support centre Beach name Report area Support centre Beach name

Cranfield St Andrews West Sands

Murlough St Andrews East Sands

Tyrella Elie Harbour Glenrothes Ballycastle Scotland Leven

Whiterocks Burntisland

Portrush East Strand Aberdour Silver Sands Northern Ireland Ballymoney Portrush West Strand Eyemouth Coldingham Bay

Portrush West Harbour

Portstewart Strand

Castlerock

Downhill Strand

Benone Strand

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North and East

Report area Support centre Beach name Report area Support centre Beach name

Whitley Bay North Mablethorpe Whitley Bay Sutton on Sea Cullercoats Tynemouth Longsands North Skegness Ingoldmells Tynemouth Longsands Skegness Boldon King Edward’s Bay Wells-next-the-Sea Sandhaven (Centre Beach) Sheringham West Sandhaven (Mowbray) Seaburn Sheringham East

Cats and Dogs West Runton Roker East Runton Redcar Saltburn Cromer West North East England East England Runswick Bay Cromer East Sandsend Mundesley Whitby Scarborough North Bay Catfield Sea Palling Scarborough South Bay Hemsby Scarborough Cayton Bay Great Yarmouth Filey Gorleston Belvedere Limekiln Lane Lowestoft North

Bridlington North Lowestoft South Bridlington South Southwold Hornsea Withernsea Southwold South

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South East

Report area Support centre Beach name Report area Support centre Beach name Sheerness Highcliffe Minster Friars Cliff Leysdown Avon Beach Minnis Bay Southbourne West Bay Fisherman’s Walk St Mildred's Manor Steps Ramsgate Ramsgate Westbrook Bay Boscombe East Margate Main Boscombe West Botany Bay East Cliff Joss Bay Poole Stone Bay Bournemouth East Broadstairs/Viking Bay Bournemouth West Ramsgate Durley Chine East Dorset and Jersey Camber Central Alum Chine Camber West Branksome Chine Hastings Pelham Canford Cliffs Rother and Hastings Hastings Hastings Pier Shore Road St Leonards Sandbanks Bexhill-on-Sea Swanage Littlehampton East (East) St Brelade’s Bay Littlehampton East (West) Le Braye Bognor Regis Watersplash, St Ouen’s Chichester Chichester Southsea East Jersey St Ouen’s Bay Southsea Central Southsea West Plémont Sandown Grève de Lecq

40 Royal National Lifeboat Institution West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ Telephone: 0845 122 6999 (UK) 1800 789589 (RoI) RNLI.org Email: [email protected]

Cover photo: RNLI/Andrew Parish

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea Royal National Lifeboat Institution, a charity registered in England and Wales (209603), Scotland (SC037736), in the Republic of Ireland (20003326) and the Bailiwick of Jersey (14)