RNLI lifeguards rescue five swimmers at Woolacombe

Five swimmers were plucked to safety from a dangerous rip current at Woolacombe beach on Saturday afternoon.

RNLI lifeguard Alfie Berry was monitoring the swimming area between the red and yellow flags at about 4pm when he spotted the five struggling in a rip outside the flagged area.

He alerted fellow lifeguards John Herries, David Miller and supervisor Kane Shaw, who were completing rescue water craft (RWC) assessments at the northern end of the beach.

John and David immediately grabbed their rescue boards to paddle out to the swimmers, while Kane assisted on the RWC.

Kane returned two of the casualties safely to shore using the RWC, while the others were returned on the rescue boards – once safely back on the beach, all were fine and no one needed first aid attention.

Amy Edmonds, seasonal lifeguard supervisor, said: “I’m really proud of the way the lifeguards spotted the danger and immediately took action to ensure the casualties were brought back to shore safely.

“Rip currents can be difficult to spot, but are sometimes identified by a channel of churning, choppy water on the sea's surface, so don’t be afraid to ask lifeguards for advice. They will show you how you can identify and avoid rips.

“With warm weather expected for the rest of the week and into the weekend we urge people to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags as this is the area most closely monitored by lifeguards.

“If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live. Tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing. Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then call for help or swim to safety if you can.”

The RNLI advises beachgoers to choose lifeguarded beaches and to swim between the flags, which will be the safest area to swim. In North Devon and Torridge, there are RNLI lifeguards on Woolacombe, Croyde, Westward Ho! and Sandymere beaches.

You can check which beaches have lifeguards by going to https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches