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Coastguard training day run by NSVL |
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North Tyneside's coastline is becoming a safer place thanks to a new training
initiative between the Coastguard and beach lifeguards.
 The Lifeguards and Coastguards
The day consisted of a pool session at Sunderland University pool, followed
by interactive classroom work at NSVL Headquarters, a resuscitation and first
aid refresher and practical training in a very cold North Sea (7°C, not
counting the wind chill factor!)
Simon,
an RLSS Beach Lifeguard Trainer Assessor had been approached by Stuart McGill,
the sector manager for HM Coastguard, to arrange the training day, the first
ever of its kind on the north east coast.
Stuart said, "It is good to see the auxiliary Coastguards, the volunteer rescue
organisations, the RLSS and North Tyneside Council co-operating so closely,
sharing their knowledge and expertise to save life in our area."
Simon brought in to assist him two of NSVL's National Trainer Assessors, Joe
Welsh and Malcolm Dunn, as well as five other members of the North Sea Volunteer
Lifeguards who worked on North Tyneside's beaches last summer.
Simon Tait, the station officer for Sunderland Auxiliary Coastguard said,
"The day has given us valuable insight and experience of working in cold and
difficult conditions. We only enter the water as a last resort but it is good
to have gained some knowledge of the techniques used by lifeguards."
One of the primary aims of the day was to train the Coastguards in the use
of the Baywatch style rescue cans they carry in their vehicles, but
don't know how to use. The rigid rescue cans are similar to the flexible torpedo
buoys used by lifeguards, but they have some disadvantages compared to the
torpedo buoy. In the cold North Sea a rigid plastic rescue can is difficult
for a cold casualty to grip onto, as well as being dangerous if it should
hit their head. Flexible torpedo buoys are also more suitable for rescuing
unconscious casualties as they can be clipped round the casualty to keep them
afloat. Although it is HM Coastguard policy to supply their vehicles with
rigid rescue cans the demonstration was certainly eye-opening for Stuart McGill:
"It's only when you see the two demonstrated next to each other that you realise
how much better the flexible torpedo buoy is. It's definitely something to
look into."
North
Tyneside's lifeguards have worked ever closely with HM Coastguard since attaining
declared facility status last year, the first local authority beach lifeguard
unit on the North Sea to do so. This enables North Tyneside's summer beach
lifeguards to work more closely with the other search and rescue organisations
in the event of a major incident.
Simon Almond said, "This is the first of what I hope will be many such days
involving Auxiliary Coastguards and Volunteer Life Brigades from Newbiggin
to Sunderland."
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Last Updated ( Monday, 25 September 2006 )
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