The Beach Lifeguard Services in Ryde and Sandown have concluded another successful summer season, with lifeguarding officially ending last week (Sunday 31st August).
Throughout the summer, lifeguards have been actively engaged in providing water safety advice, implementing preventative measures, and responding to a range of incidents along the coastline.
Their work included casualty care, first aid, missing children reports, and sea rescues. Lifeguards also continued to support accessibility at the beach by offering the use of specially adapted beach wheelchairs, which saw increased popularity this year.
As part of their commitment to education and prevention, the team also delivered their drowning prevention programme, ‘Sea Safe’, to local schools. Over 500 children took part in the initiative this season.
Todd Miller, Beach Manager, has said:
“I would like to thank all of our lifeguards and Beach Safety for their great work this summer, as well as the excellent support we continue to receive from the emergency services.
“We are advising people to continue to take care and be aware of the dangers. Check the weather conditions and tide times and consider your capabilities, if in doubt it is better to stay dry and watch the sea than take the risk.
“Ensure you carry a means of contact such as a mobile phone, if you get into trouble or see anyone else in difficulty call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
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I’d like to praise the Maturity and professionalism of the Ryde lifeguard team.
I observed them a couple of times over the summer dealing with the public and they showed maturity and respect beyond their years. One incident was a lady taken unwell of the esplade at Ryde and a lifeguard cared for her they arranged an ambulance and were brilliant.