RNLI lifeguards finish a busy first season in Christchurch

RNLI lifeguards have completed their first season patrolling Avon, Friars Cliff and Highcliffe Castle beaches in Christchurch, Dorset.

During the nine-week season the charity’s lifeguards dealt with 62 incidents involving beach users. They also took part in two training exercises with Mudeford’s volunteer lifeboat crew, and coached members of the local lifesaving club through their beach lifeguard qualifications.

Figures show Avon Cliff was the busiest of the three beaches, where RNLI lifeguards responded to 35 incidents. As a popular destination for watersports enthusiasts, the most common assists were to windsurfers and kitesurfers who had drifted too far out, or broken bits of equipment.

In one incident, the lifeguards administered first aid treatment to a windsurfer who required 46 stitches after being hit on the head with his boom. They rescued him from the water and treated him on the beach until paramedics arrived.

In another incident they treated a boy, who had fallen from the wall onto the beach, for suspected spinal injuries. Trained as first responders, the lifeguards had the skills and equipment needed to keep the casualty still and stable to prevent further injury until the ambulance arrived. Other, more minor injuries, such as cut hands or feet, twisted ankles or wasp stings were a frequent occurrence.

In addition, the RNLI lifeguards provided beach safety advice to the beach goers, to try and prevent incidents from happening in the first place – from advice on potential hazards, such as prevailing weather conditions and using inflatable toys, to sun safety.