Busy spell for RNLI lifeguards as Fistral team rescue 17 people from rip current

RNLI lifeguards at Fistral assisted 17 people on Saturday (26 July) after they got caught in a powerful flash rip current, and at Perranporth on Friday (25 July) lifeguards helped three people in difficulty between Chapel Rock and Droskyn.

On Saturday at around 3.40pm at Fistral during a busy afternoon, a flash rip current opened up unexpectedly within the red and yellow flagged swimming area. The current was formed due to a collapsing sandbank which quickly swept multiple people out to sea.

Fistral beach usually has two separate red and yellow flagged areas at either ends of the beach, but due to the conditions the RNLI lifeguards team merged the usual patrols into one flagged area. Pre-empting the conditions the lifeguards were already on the water carrying out patrols. When the flash rip current occurred, RNLI lifeguard Harry Pleasants was on a rescue board, and immediately responded, assisting six casualties simultaneously, each clinging to the board to stay afloat.

RNLI lifeguard Sonny Timson paddled out to reach four additional swimmers, keeping them afloat until further help arrived.

RNLI Lifeguard Gabe Llewellyn launched the rescue watercraft (RWC) and helped to transport multiple casualties back to shore. The lifeguard team continued paddling out, making repeated trips to reach the remaining casualties, four of those were located submerged under water. In total 17 people were rescued, with four considered as lives saved, meaning that without the intervention of the lifeguards, the outcome would have almost certainly been fatal.

The beach was temporarily red flagged for RNLI lifeguard to assess the conditions, and re-opened after 30 minutes.

Mark Preim, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor said: ‘Conditions on Fistral were extremely challenging on Saturday, strong northerly winds were forming rip currents across the beach, and when a sandbank collapsed it swept a large group of people quickly out of their depth.

‘A collapsing sandbank isn’t the kind of thing we can predict and so is impossible to prepare for, but the team had the foresight to be out on the water already, anticipating that something could happen. That decision made all the difference.

‘This kind of large-scale rescue only happens every few years. The team responded instinctively under incredible pressure. They were rescuing people from under the surface of the water, and if they hadn’t been so prepared and in position when the sandbank collapsed, the outcome would have been very different.’

At Perranporth on Friday evening, shortly after 6pm when the lifeguards had finished, three individuals became caught in challenging surf conditions in the gap between Chapel Porth and Droskyn, an area known for strong currents. One of the casualties managed to self-rescue, whilst the second was seen clinging to rocks and being repeatedly pulled back into the water by waves.

RNLI lifeguard Reef Slack was still on the beach and responded quickly on a rescue board to bring the casualty back to safety.

The third casualty had been washed into a cave at Sunny Corner. Reef paddled back out and located the casualty, while the inshore rescue boat (IRB) was launched from Perran Sands, helmed by RNLI lifeguard Joel Critchley. From the IRB, RNLI lifeguard Evie Bruce swam out to the cave with a rescue tube, where she reached the casualty and brought them back to the IRB.

With everyone returned to the shore, the casualties were given casualty care by the lifeguard team.

Henry Irvine, Regional Lifeguard Lead, said: ‘Conditions were challenging at times over the weekend due to the spring tides and wind direction, creating strong rip currents with little warning. Our lifeguard teams around the region have responded to high-pressure situations in an incredibly professional manner, and we are very proud of their instincts and actions.

‘Please remember to choose a lifeguarded beach this summer, and swim between the red and yellow flags. We want to encourage people to always make sure to check conditions before heading out into the water, and remember where there are no flags, there are no lifeguards.

‘If you find yourself in trouble, Float to Live. Knowing this technique and encouraging your family to practice it could save your life: Tilt your head back, with your ears submerged. Relax and try to breathe normally. Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat if you need to. It’s fine if your legs sink – we all float differently. By doing this, you give yourself the chance to rest and recover your breathing. Once you’ve regained control of your breathing, you can call for help or swim to safety.’

If you see someone else struggling in water:

• Call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

• Tell the person to relax and float on their back.

• Throw something buoyant to help them stay afloat.

For more information visit RNLI.org/Float

Notes to Editors