VIDEO: Watch the five most dramatic RNLI lifeguard rescues

As the 2021 season ends, the RNLI has released a compilation of five of its most dramatic lifeguard rescues from beaches across the UK to celebrate the achievements of its patrols nationwide.

The video includes footage of a young boy being successfully rescued on Portreath Beach in 2016, after coming into difficulty from large waves and strong winds while bodyboarding.

There is also an interview with Vicky, who was rescued from a perilous situation in Chapel Porth in 2009 while pregnant with her daughter. “[At one point my husband and I] said goodbye to each other because we knew there was no way out,” she recalls.

RNLI lifeguards operate on more than 200 beaches in the UK and Channel Islands. To qualify, lifeguards must be able to swim 200m in under 3.5 minutes and be able to run 200m on sand in under 40 seconds.

2021 marks the 20th anniversary of the RNLI’s lifeguard service to coastal communities and their visitors around the UK and Ireland.

Since its launch in 2001, RNLI lifeguards have saved 1,681 lives, aided 320,087 people through water rescue, returning lost children and delivering first aid and casualty care. They have responded to 251,436 incidents and carried out 32 million preventative actions.

One response to “VIDEO: Watch the five most dramatic RNLI lifeguard rescues”

  1. Geoff Webb says:

    These guys should be getting medals for this stuff! Totally shocked by some of the comments that I am seeing on social media. At the end of the day a life saved, is a life saved.