Double rescue for volunteer lifeguards in near drowning.
A dramatic rescue of two men took place at Exmouth today. Volunteer Lifeguards from Exmouth Beach Rescue Club were on their first official patrol of the season when the drama unfolded.
Shortly after 11:30 the two men from Exeter were plucked from the water between Foxholes car park and Orcombe Point just seconds before they both drowned.
Club Senior Lifeguard Nigel Snowshall said, “We were just over an hour into our first patrol when one of our Guards spotted a swimmer heading a considerable distance from the shore. It soon became clear that another swimmer was also heading the same way. Due to the strong outgoing spring tide, a rescue paddleboard was launched from our outpost at Orcombe Point to intercept the swimmers and give safety advice. It quickly became evident that both swimmers were having difficulties in the strong currents and were both struggling to stay afloat. The Arancia rescue boat was immediately launched from our main base at Foxholes to assist in the rescue. Local Stand Up Paddleboarders assisted the first Lifeguard on scene to secure both patients and helped return them to shore for treatment.”
One casualty required oxygen therapy and was treated for suspected Hypothermia whilst waiting for the ambulance. Club Lifeguards assisted the ambulance crews with the treatment of both casualties. Local paddleboarders and a local ex nurse all assisted in dealing with the incident.
Both men were taken to hospital by ambulance following the incident for follow up treatment.
The Incident is thought to have taken place when the man in his twenties ventured too far out having been caught in the strong tide. One of his two carers, believed to be in his fifties, went to assist him but got into difficulties as the tide swept both men out to sea.
Mr Snowshall said “We are very grateful for the assistance received from the local people, in an incident of this nature it’s all hands on deck and the most simple help can be invaluable.
It is essential for anyone undertaking activities in the sea to seek up to date safety advice before they start. Tidal conditions can take even the most experienced people by surprise and can be very deceiving. Outgoing Spring tides can be particularly dangerous to the unprepared water user.”
Later in the day Club volunteers were called to deal with a medical emergency when a 27year old lady, who was 5 months pregnant suffered chest pains and was hyperventilating. Club Lifeguard Maff Richardson, a paramedic with South West Ambulance Service Trust, treated the lady before the ambulance arrived and she was taken to hospital for further treatment.
Soon after a man in his seventies fell from the sea wall opposite the Volunteer Lifeguard headquarters and suffered minor back injuries. The man continued his day out following treatment by Club Volunteer Lifeguards.
Other incidents dealt with by Club members during the day were a lost child and a child locked in the toilets.
Formed in 1986, Volunteer lifeguard charity, Patrols Exmouth Seafront on sundays, A friendly club that trains tuesdays and sundays in both lifeguarding skills and surf live saving sports. We offer lifeguards and inshore rescue boat support for national events such as the Blenheim and London triathlons as well as long distance open water swims Registered Charity No - 1025654
Monday, 10 June 2013
26/5/13 Press Release
Double rescue for volunteer lifeguards in near drowning.
A dramatic rescue of two men took place at Exmouth today. Volunteer Lifeguards from Exmouth Beach Rescue Club were on their first official patrol of the season when the drama unfolded.
Shortly after 11:30 the two men from Exeter were plucked from the water between Foxholes car park and Orcombe Point just seconds before they both drowned.
Club Senior Lifeguard Nigel Snowshall said, “We were just over an hour into our first patrol when one of our Guards spotted a swimmer heading a considerable distance from the shore. It soon became clear that another swimmer was also heading the same way. Due to the strong outgoing spring tide, a rescue paddleboard was launched from our outpost at Orcombe Point to intercept the swimmers and give safety advice. It quickly became evident that both swimmers were having difficulties in the strong currents and were both struggling to stay afloat. The Arancia rescue boat was immediately launched from our main base at Foxholes to assist in the rescue. Local Stand Up Paddleboarders assisted the first Lifeguard on scene to secure both patients and helped return them to shore for treatment.”
One casualty required oxygen therapy and was treated for suspected Hypothermia whilst waiting for the ambulance. Club Lifeguards assisted the ambulance crews with the treatment of both casualties. Local paddleboarders and a local ex nurse all assisted in dealing with the incident.
Both men were taken to hospital by ambulance following the incident for follow up treatment.
The Incident is thought to have taken place when the man in his twenties ventured too far out having been caught in the strong tide. One of his two carers, believed to be in his fifties, went to assist him but got into difficulties as the tide swept both men out to sea.
Mr Snowshall said “We are very grateful for the assistance received from the local people, in an incident of this nature it’s all hands on deck and the most simple help can be invaluable.
It is essential for anyone undertaking activities in the sea to seek up to date safety advice before they start. Tidal conditions can take even the most experienced people by surprise and can be very deceiving. Outgoing Spring tides can be particularly dangerous to the unprepared water user.”
Later in the day Club volunteers were called to deal with a medical emergency when a 27year old lady, who was 5 months pregnant suffered chest pains and was hyperventilating. Club Lifeguard Maff Richardson, a paramedic with South West Ambulance Service Trust, treated the lady before the ambulance arrived and she was taken to hospital for further treatment.
Soon after a man in his seventies fell from the sea wall opposite the Volunteer Lifeguard headquarters and suffered minor back injuries. The man continued his day out following treatment by Club Volunteer Lifeguards.
Other incidents dealt with by Club members during the day were a lost child and a child locked in the toilets.
2/6/13 Press Release
Volunteer Lifeguards at Exmouth are warning people of the dangers from disposable barbeques being used on the beach after a four year old girl received serious burns from the hot sand during a family visit to the beach on Sunday.
The Polish family from Heathfield near Newton Abbot were on a day trip to Exmouth when the incident occurred. Volunteer Lifeguards from Exmouth Beach Rescue Club treated the girl before sending her to the Exmouth Minor Injuries Unit for further treatment.
Club spokesman Nigel Snowshall said “We were alerted to the incident by a member of the public who witnessed the incident. A family member removed the disposable barbeque from the sand in order to dispose of it. Unfortunately the little girl walked across the area where the barbeque had been and fell onto one hand receiving serious burns to her left foot and hand”.
“People do not realise how hot the sand gets underneath these barbeques and how long it stays hot for. We regularly deal with these incidents despite our efforts to advise people of the risks. We have worked with local Firefighters and East Devon District Council in an effort to promote the safe use and disposal of these types of barbeques popular with beach goers. We have managed to reduce incidents of bin fires along the beach caused by careless disposal but are still experiencing many burns caused by the hot sand”.
“We definitely don’t want to spoil peoples’ fun but would urge them to take note of the following safety advice”.
Have the barbeque away from any combustible materials.
Never leave the barbeque unattended and supervise children closely when cooking.
When finished, allow the barbeque to cool before handling it.
Use water to ensure the barbeque is completely extinguished but do so carefully to avoid steam burns.
Use water to cool the sand underneath the site and rake the sand around with a bucket or spade to allow the heat to dissipate.
Finally do not put the barbeque in the bin, leave it next to the bin for disposal. This will prevent any risk of a bin fire.
Mr Snowshall said “The club will step up its campaign on barbeque safety. These are serious burns that people are receiving. Burns like this can remain very painful for weeks with the risk of infection and other complications. Burns on the feet are particularly difficult to treat and keep clean and can render a person unable to walk for some time”.
a council donation
Voluntarily restored with enthusiasm and endless energy across the ages.
The organisation's door has been open since 1986 and now we welcome you to Orcombe Point
Your clubs had quite a weekend!
Nigel and Tom's service was requested to be part of the water safety team in IRBs ensuring that no difficulties suffered by the swimmers were anything but minor,
while back in Exmouth our own IRB was tasked with providing safety cover on the infamous Fairway Buoy swim run by the
alongside our normal volunteer lifeguard patrols at both Maer Rocks and Orcombe point!
An incredible feat and a fantastic national service thats been
Saving lives since 1986
Monday, 3 June 2013
Beach Flag Hospitality Gandhi Style
We welcomed the legendary watermen Steve West and Jamie Mitchell to the club recently, the advice was fantastic and to meet them and get to know them a true honour.
Jamie Mitchell enjoyed getting back to his surf lifesaving roots so much, he got stuck in to a round of beach flags but was no match for our very own
Suraj 'Elbows' Gandhi
who wasn't going to let the Aussie get the better of him!
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