BEING PREPARED HELPED SURFER ENDURE 32 HOURS LOST IN WATER

AS HE clung to his surfboard in the dark of night, drifting across the North Channel, all hope must have seemed lost.

But experts said Matthew Bryce survived more than 30 hours in the chilly 8C (46F) waters because he was so well prepared.

Dawn Petrie, of the Belfast Coastguard operations centre, said: ‘He’d been in the water for some 30 hours when the helicopter was delighted to spot him.

‘He was extremely lucky. He was wearing the right equipment, had a very thick neoprene wetsuit on and did the right thing by staying with his surfboard. That must have helped him to survive for so long.’

Henry Weaver, spokesman for the RNLI in Scotland, said there were four top safety tips and Mr Bryce had heeded them all, including wearing a wetsuit with a thickness appropriate for the conditions.

Mr Weaver said: ‘Make sure you are kitted out in the appropriate suit. Manufacturers have information on their websites about what suits should be worn at what time of year. Matthew was in a thick neoprene one that undoubtedly helped save his life.

‘The second key thing to do if you get into trouble is to hold on to your board – stay with it. It keeps you afloat, conserves energy and you are making yourself a bigger target for anyone searching.

‘The coastguard helicopter found it easier to spot Matthew as he had his board.’

The RNLI also recommends that anyone going surfing is accompanied by someone who can keep an eye from shore.

Mr Weaver said the ‘most important thing’ is to let another person know where you are leaving from and what time you plan to be home.

He said: ‘Be as detailed as you can – where you are surfing and when you will be back. Then if you do not reappear at the right time, your contact can call 999 and ask for the coastguard.

‘This story has had a really positive outcome and it’s partly due to Matthew being prepared, making the difference between him surviving or not.’