Yarmouth RNLI crews were tasked by HM Coastguard to the reports of a person in the water located west of Hurst Castle Spit being carried offshore after being unable to successfully recover back into their kayak.
Just after 12:45 on Saturday (2nd November), Yarmouth RNLI crews launched their Severn-class lifeboat and quickly made passage towards Hurst Castle after several 999 calls came through to Coastguard after a lone kayaker was seen entering the water after falling from their kayak.
The RNLI lifeboat made best speed to the last known location of the person, and due to the height of the Severn Class Lifeboat, the crews were able to locate them within five minutes of their arrival.
The kayaker had done everything they could in attempt to self-recover themselves and had with them all the recommended safety equipment including a lifejacket, a radio, a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch and flares of which one was released alerting the public that they required assistance. It was this quick thinking and preparation that resulted in the quick launch of rescue services. The casualty had also been using the ‘Float’ technique to help them breathe and keep themselves above the water line.
The casualty was brought on board, and casualty care was administered as they had been in the water for enough time to show the clear signs of becoming hypothermic. The crew then contacted the IOW Ambulance service who arrived at the lifeboat berth within minutes of the lifeboat returning to Yarmouth Harbour just before 13:30.
One of the ambulance crew on arrival was Yarmouth RNLI volunteer press officer Hebe Gregory, who is currently undergoing training to be a volunteer community first responder, who was there to help the paramedics and rapid response team to conduct the ambulance’s initial observations before the patient was conveyed to St Mary’s Hospital for further treatment.
The RNLI crews then completed their post-recovery checks and were marked as ready for service at 13:40.
