The second successful season for Sidmouth Beach Lifeguards comes to an end this weekend
Sunday, 4th September 2022 marks the end of a very busy and successful second season for Sidmouth Beach Lifeguards.
The service was extended this year to cover the May half term and weekends leading up to the summer holidays, where it ran seven days a week covering 17 weeks from May to September. During this time, the lifeguards have been have been first on scene for a whole range of medical and clinical events, logging more than 100 incidents including weaver fish and jelly fish stings, fractures, broken hips, seizures, head injuries and missing children.
The lifeguard service is a fully independent set up, founded by Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat and funded completely by the charity. Throughout the season, the lifeguard team has worked closely with Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat, as well as Solent Coastguard, Police, Ambulance, HART, Coastguard Rescue Teams and even the bomb disposal unit.
Lifeguard Supervisor, Guy Russell, commented on the excellent professional working relationship the team had built with its partner emergency services teams, most recently taking part in training with South Western Ambulance Service’s Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).
“The lifeguard team has trained every week, including training with the lifeboat, to ensure their joint working was practiced. This was very much put into real life when both parties worked alongside coastguard and police on a major incident. The team’s experience, knowledge and confidence has grown exponentially this season and they are fast becoming enriched in the beach culture in Sidmouth.”
In addition to their duties on Sidmouth’s main beach, Sidmouth Beach Lifeguards could also be found during the season patrolling the seafront and town beaches, including endless advice and action on east beach and the dangers of cliff falls, as well as being independently tasked by Solent Coastguard to assist with responses to 999 calls in the area.
“The lifeguard team has provided a presence, reassurance and professionalism to the beach, and have been the first port of call for the general public and beach goers for advice, knowledge, first aid and emergency response,” added Guy.
“We would like to extend our most sincere gratitude to the general public, beach goers and locals for their support, help, enthusiasm and gratitude towards the service. To the RNLI for all their ongoing support and interest in the independent service, to the local coastguard rescue teams, police, paramedics and Sidmouth Surf Live Saving Club, all of whom have helped throughout the summer. It’s been an absolute pleasure and the teams do their jobs with pride and passion.”
The service is set continue, and will be back next year with training and recruitment starting in the spring.
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Photo L-R: Eve Cockayne, Josh Tatlock, Josh Miller, Henry Williams, Kellen Hamilton, Josh Roberts, Guy Russell. Not present, but part of the lifeguard team: Amy Cozens and Oliver Rodger
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All enquiries: media@sidmouthlifeboat.org.uk