Lifeguards step up patrols on Dorset's beaches

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is predicting this summer to be one of the busiest ever, after an increase in ‘staycations’.

Towns such as Bournemouth and Poole are key tourism hotspots and are expected to have thousands of visitors over the summer holidays.

Peak season for the RNLI lifeguards begins today (Saturday 10 July), with beaches seeing a lifeguard patrol seven days a week on all RNLI patrolled beaches.

The beaches patrolled by RNLI Lifeguards this summer will be: Swanage, Sandbanks, Shore Road, Canford Cliffs, Branksome Chine, Alum Chine, Durley Chine, Bournemouth West, Bournemouth East, East Cliff, Boscombe West, Boscombe East, Manor Steps, Fisherman’s Walk, Southbourne, Highcliffe, Avon Beach and Friar’s Cliff.

Six beaches in Hampshire and West Sussex are also getting a daily lifeguard service from today.

All beaches will operate a lifeguard service from 10am – 6pm daily.

To help people prepare for a beach trip this summer, the RNLI and HM Coastguard have launched their new Beach Safety campaign.

The key safety advice is:

• Visit a lifeguarded beach & swim between the red and yellow flags

• If you get into trouble Float to Live – lie on your back and relax, resisting the urge to thrash about

• Call 999 in an emergency and ask for the Coastguard

Guy Addington, Regional Water Safety Lead (South East) says: "We are in the lead up to a very busy summer and our key priority is to keep people safe at the beaches. If you plan to go to a beach this summer, we ask that you choose a lifeguarded beach so that our lifeguards can assist you if you were to get into trouble in the water.’

"Each lifeguarded beach will have red and yellow flags which indicate where is the best place to swim and also ensures you are in good view of the lifeguards. We ask that you swim in the area between these red and yellow flags to keep yourself in as safe a position as possible.’

"We advise that you do not use inflatable toys at the beach as these are designed for pools and are not designed to be used in areas where tide and winds can sweep you out to sea in seconds.’

"The RNLI lifeguards are there to give guidance and advise the public on how best to enjoy the beach in a safe manner. If any doubt when at the seaside, check in at your local lifeguard hut, where the lifeguards will be on hand to help."

A full list of RNLI lifeguarded beaches can be found here.