Families urged to take care along Welsh coast as RNLI call-outs rise
The charity says its lifeguards saved the lives of 17 people in Wales last year
With the summer holidays underway - the RNLI is urging us to take extra care along the coast.
The charity's lifeguards saved 17 lives across Wales last summer.
It comes as the RNLI reports a 46 percent rise in incidents on Welsh beaches in the space of a year.
The RNLI has released the figures to mark World Drowning Prevention Day.
In 2021, RNLI lifeguards in Wales aided 1,392 people, which rose to 2,315 people in 2022 which is an increase of nearly 40%. In 2021 lifeguards in Wales dealt with 801 incidents. This figure rose to 1,475 incidents in 2022 which is an increase of 46%.
Chris Cousens RNLI Water Safety Lead says:
‘Now the weather is warming up we expect to see a big increase in visitors to the Welsh coast and unfortunately this does mean there is likely to be an increase in the number of incidents in the sea.
‘Many of the incidents our lifeguards attend during the school holidays involve children and teenagers and we would urge everyone – but families in particular – to be aware of the risks and know what to do in an emergency.
‘Our main advice is to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.
"RNLI lifeguards will be patrolling around 245 beaches this summer to offer advice on how to stay safe and they are also there to help anyone who gets into trouble.
‘We want people to enjoy the coast but urge everyone to think about their own safety, take time to familiarise yourself with our advice and to share this with your friends and family.’