Coastal fatalities

Following the spate of recent drownings and dramatic rescues off UK beaches, many involving children, the RNLI is urging holidaymakers to think 'safety' at all times. As part of its annual beach safety drive, the lifesaving charity is offering essential safety tips to make sure people remember their summer holidays for the right reasons.

Over the past few weeks, there have been numerous coastal drownings, prompting the RNLI to renew its calls to people to be aware of basic safety advice and always swim at a lifeguarded beach, listen to safety advice, and take notice of beach safety flags and signage. Coastal areas can be hazardous: you can easily get cut off by the tide, fall from cliffs, get stuck in mud flats or get swept out to sea by rip currents or in inflatables by offshore winds.

July
· A holidaymaker drowned at Teignmouth, Devon, after entering the water while red flags, which indicate it is not safe to enter the water, were flying. RNLI lifeboats were involved in the search.
· A man drowned after jumping into the sea from Cromer pier. Two RNLI lifeboats and off-duty RNLI lifeguards were involved in the search.

August
· A man drowned after swimming in rough seas, while the red flag was flying off Brighton on a stag weekend. His body was recovered by the RNLI Brighton lifeboat.
· A 14-year-old boy is missing, feared drowned, after scuba diving with his father off the Devon coast. Three RNLI lifeboats were involved in the search.
· A five-year-old girl drowned in a river just inland from Bude. RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew members and RNLI lifeguards were involved in the search.
· Three young holidaymakers were swept out to sea by a rip current at a Newquay beach after lifeguards had finished patrolling, but had a lucky escape when two RNLI lifeboats rescued them.
· A group of teenagers were trapped and injured when a cave they were in collapsed near Dartmouth. Two RNLI lifeboats were involved in the rescue.

Many of these victims were likely to have been unaware of the dangers that they were encountering, which is why the RNLI is so keen to spread its coastal safety advice so others will not get into similar difficulties or tragic situations.

RNLI Beach Safety Programmes Manager, Kelly Keating, says:

'Our thoughts are with the families and friends who have lost loved ones in these incidents, and with the casualties who have had near misses. Despite the bad weather, it's peak season on UK beaches with so many people using the water, so the RNLI's volunteer lifeboat crew members and lifeguards are very busy. These recent incidents highlight that, while the sea can be fun, it can also be very dangerous.

'You're 500 times less likely to drown on a lifeguarded beach so we always advise people to choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags, where the lifeguards can see them.

'The majority of lifeguards' work is preventative - looking out for problems before they develop. It's crucial that people take notice of the advice offered by lifeguards, and of the beach safety flags. Those who can't make it to a lifeguarded beach should find out about their chosen beach before they go, and read the safety signs to make themselves aware of the local hazards.

'Most importantly, if they see someone in trouble, alert a lifeguard or call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard - but they should not enter the water themselves. We want people to enjoy their time at the beach, but it's important to put safety first. By following the advice the RNLI is offering, we hope people will stay safe at the beach so they remember their summer for the right reasons.'

Those wishing to identify their nearest lifeguarded beach can visit www.goodbeachguide.co.uk.

The RNLI's guide to beach safety, On The Beach, is packed full of advice on how to stay safe at the beach. It is available free-of-charge by emailing beachsafety@rnli.org.uk or calling 0800 328 0600. Copies are available from most RNLI lifeboat stations, RNLI lifeguard units, Tourist Information Centres, service stations, Little Chef restaurants and selected tourist attractions throughout the summer season.

Practical advice and tips on how to stay safe can be found at he RNLI's website, www.rnli.org.uk/beachsafety.

15 August 2008