The RNLI has reached 25 years of keeping beaches safer by delivering a world class lifeguard service to coastal communities and their visitors. RNLI lifeguards in Wales are now setting up for the first weekend of the season as schools break for Easter.

In Wales, the RNLI lifeguard service was first rolled out in Pembrokeshire in 2008 and since then, the charity’s lifeguards have saved 315 lives, aiding 45,595 people through water rescue, returning lost children and delivering first aid and casualty care. They have responded to 26,302 incidents and carried out more than 6M preventative actions.

Tom John, now a Lifeguard Supervisor in Swansea, joined the team when the service began in 2009 when he was 19-years-old. Before the RNLI, Tom was part of the lifeguard service run by the local council.

Tom said: “Since the service began we’ve seen more people visit our beaches each year wanting to have fun and enjoy the water. The fundamentals of lifeguarding are still the same as they were back then, however we are now a much more proactive service.

“Our RNLI training and equipment is fantastic and we have a brilliant team. I love this time of year when the lifeguards are returning after their winters away, they bring awesome energy and we are all wanting to get back out onto the beaches for an amazing spring and summer season.’

“Our well trained, capable and skilled lifeguards spend their time talking to people, sharing our safety advice and educating visitors about the dangers. As well as carrying out rescues and first aid.”

Year on year the RNLI’s lifeguard service has grown through working closely with partners and now there are over 35 RNLI lifeguarded beaches across Wales, with over 245 beaches across the UK and Channel Islands being patrolled, meaning it’s the largest lifeguard service provider in the UK.

This Easter holiday, the RNLI lifeguards are preparing to return to beaches in the 25th anniversary season, by training and honing their skills. This involves completing fitness tests, practising on rescue boards, jet skis and quad bikes, as well as casualty care first aid training.

In Pembrokeshire, RNLI lifeguards will be returning to the following Welsh beaches for the Easter holiday:

Back in 2001, the charity took action when stark figures showed 200 lives were lost on UK beaches. Lifesaving clubs were already patrolling but not on the scale required, the RNLI wanted to provide a solution and established a co-ordinated rescue service.

Working with lifesaving clubs and beach owners, the RNLI piloted lifeguarded beaches in south-west England and the results spoke for themselves as 20 lives were saved in the first year.

It led to an official service being formed and advancement in the equipment and training available to lifeguards. Safety literature information and warning signs were also developed for beaches so visitors knew what dangers they may encounter and how to keep themselves safe.

Peter Dawes, RNLI Lifeguard General Manager, said: “Thanks to RNLI lifeguards our beaches are safer places, so we can enjoy our time at the coast and return home safely at the end of the day. Around 95% of a lifeguard’s work is prevention. They keep beachgoers safe by educating them about water safety and spotting the dangers before accidents happen.

“RNLI lifeguards past and present have kept millions of beach visitors safe over the past 25 years and will continue to do so for years to come. If you are planning a visit to the coast this summer, please remember to visit a lifeguarded beach.”

From beach safety and prevention to rescuing those in the water and delivering casualty care RNLI lifeguards are prepared to deal with any situation they might face. Since 2001, RNLI lifeguards have saved 2,165 lives, aided 459,354 people through water rescue, returning lost children and delivering first aid and casualty care. They have responded to 333, 330 incidents and carried out more than 48M preventative actions.

If you are heading to the coast this Easter, head to a lifeguarded beach if possible. Your nearest RNLI lifeguarded beach can be found here - https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches.

The RNLI is urging anyone visiting the coast this summer to make sure they keep themselves and their families safe by being water smart and following their beach safety advice...