Since it was founded in 1824, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 144,000 lives. In 2001, the RNLI introduced a beach lifeguard service to their already corageous offering.
Today, RNLI lifeguards patrol over 240 beaches across the UK and the Channel Islands. 95% of their work is preventative – educating people about the dangers at the beach to help them avoid getting into trouble in the first place.
- Royal National Lifeboat Institution: 12 courageous tales from the RNLI's 200-year history
- RNLI lifeboats launched 1,808 times and saved 5,332 lives at sea during the First World War
- Dogs, cats and even a snake rescued by British lifeboats
Nonetheless, beach rescues do happen and lifeguards have to be prepared. Each lifeguard must meet rigorous fitness standards, including completing:
- 400m pool swim in under 7½ minutes, the first 200m of which must be completed in under 3½ minutes.
- 25m pool swim underwater and 25m surface swim consecutively in under 50 seconds.
- 200m beach run in under 40 seconds.
Words: Laura Haslam, RNLI | Image: Ford Ranger in use by RNLI lifeguards at Fistral beach, Cornwall/Credit Dean Wright