Sand, sea and safety
Heading to the seaside this half term? Maddie Vincent talks about staying safe and what it takes to be an RNLI lifeguard
What are the dangers by the seaside? Before heading to the beach, always check the tide times and weather. Dangers to look out for include strong rip currents under the water, being cut off from the land by the tide and cold water shock. If you’re entering the water, go in slowly so you get used to the temperature.
Have you saved anyone’s life?
Yes. At one of my beaches we have rafts that people can swim out to. Quite a few times I’ve had to take people back to the beach because they can’t swim back. I also spend a lot of time in the summer bringing people back to shore on inflatables when the wind blows them out too far. We recommend people save inflatables for the swimming pools!
Why do lifeguards wear red and yellow?
In WW1, red and yellow flags were used to mark a safe path through minefields.
Surf life-saving clubs in Australia were the first to adopt these colours for their flags and uniforms. The bright colours help lifeguards to be easily spotted on a crowded beach. Our red and yellow flags indicate where it is safe to swim and play in the sea.
How fast can you swim?
All lifeguards have to pass a fitness test - swim 200m in under 3½ minutes and run 200m on sand in under 40 seconds. I’m definitely not the fastest on the team but I can swim pretty quickly!
I like to stay active on and off the beach. On quieter days it’s fun to train by running, swimming or getting on a rescue board. All lifeguards set fitness challenges for each other to complete.
Do you have to know first aid?
Yes! We do a casualty care course so we can deal with anything from weaver fish stings to broken bones and life-threatening bleeds. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard or find the nearest lifeguard.
I’ve seen jellyfish, seals and dolphins at work. I wouldn’t say they were dangerous; they just like to be left alone. If you ever spot a jellyfish, do not touch it and report it to a lifeguard.
What do you like best about your job?
It’s great when you know you’ve helped someone, given them safety advice or assisted them in the water. But I also love the people I work with.
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Have you seen dangerous animals like jellyfish or sharks?