Visitors to RNLI lifeguarded beaches in North Yorkshire will be able to watch the charity’s lifesavers at work this weekend as they demonstrate their skills to signal the start of the RNLI’s national Lifeguard Week.

Water-based rescue demonstrations and beach safety talks will be taking place on Sunday, 1 August at 3pm on beaches in Whitby, Scarborough and Filey.

Members of the public are being encouraged to attend and find out more about the professional skills required to be an RNLI lifeguard, as well as tips on keeping themselves safe at the beach and in the water.

RNLI Area Lifeguard Supervisor, Matt Jones said events are taking place throughout the country to highlight the work of the charity’s lifeguards and to raise vital funds for the service during Lifeguard Week.

He said: ‘Although local authorities provide financial assistance to cover the cost of lifeguard wages, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution provides all training and equipment costs for the lifeguard service.

‘Last year, it cost £8M to run the RNLI’s lifeguard service, which was provided solely through voluntary donations. Lifeguard Week offers us the opportunity to demonstrate to the people who donate that money exactly how it benefits the service.’

Lifeguards on Scarborough North Bay and Whitby beach will stage a water-based unconscious casualty incident and rescue, using the charity’s rescue watercraft. Beachgoers at Scarborough’s South Bay and Filey beach can watch a demonstration where casualties are recovered using rescue boards.

RNLI lifeguards are trained as first responders to the ambulance service, able to prioritise medical emergencies appropriately and all the scenarios will conclude with a first aid aftercare demonstration on the beach.

Matt added: ‘Lifeguards spend the majority of their days speaking to people while on duty and educating visitors about beach safety. Sunday’s demonstrations provide a perfect opportunity for members of the public to question us about our work and skills and we look forward to welcoming as many people to the demonstrations as possible.’

To sign up for the beach safety talks, which will be taking place at various times on Sunday, speak to the lifeguards on duty at Whitby, Scarborough and Filey on the day. All the demonstrations will begin at 3pm promptly.

ENDS

RNLI media contacts For more information, contact Deborah Heaton-Caffin, RNLI Lifeguard Press Officer, North, on 01642 750585 or 07824 518641 or at deborah_heaton-caffin@rnli.org.uk