South Wales RNLI lifeguards took part in a joint training exercise with local coastguard teams last week, exchanging vital skills and knowledge to help keep the beaches safe this summer.

The joint training exercise took place on Tenby’s South beach last Thursday evening as the specialist teams learnt how best to respond to people trapped or buried underneath the sand on beaches. The RNLI lifeguards took part in the training alongside coastguard teams from Tenby, St. Davids, Fishguard and Moylegrove.

The exercise was led by Marc Lancey, MCA senior coastal operations officers, who explained and demonstrated various techniques used to release people trapped or buried due to collapsing sand. Senior RNLI lifeguards were also taught how best to lead and manage their teams if such an incident were to happen whilst on duty on the beach.

Adam Pitman, RNLI lifeguard supervisor, explained the importance of teamwork in an emergency situation.

“Hopefully these are techniques that we will never have to use, but accidents can happen and it’s vital that the RNLI lifeguards are trained and are given the right skills to respond safely in such a case,” he said.

“This was a great exercise that helped promote interagency working and helped promote teamwork and understanding between the RNLI and coastguard teams within the beach environment. If an incident like this was to happen in future, we now have the skills and knowledge to deal with the incident safely and effectively.”

RNLI lifeguards provide a daily safety service on beaches across Pembrokeshire throughout the summer season. The charity’s lifeguards are ready at their posts from 10 am - 6 pm every day until Sunday, September 4.