Lifeguards to demonstrate skills (From The Northern Echo)

Lifeguards to demonstrate skills

2:04pm Tuesday 27th July 2010 in

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TRIPPERS headed for the beach this weekend will be able to watch the life-savers of the RNLI demonstrate their skills.

Water-based rescue demonstrations and beach safety talks will be taking place on Sunday at 3pm on beaches in Whitby, Scarborough and Filey to signal the start of the RNLI’s national Lifeguard Week.

Area lifeguard supervisor Matt Jones said the events would highlight the work of the charity’s lifeguards and raise vital funds for the service.

"Although local authorities provide financial assistance to cover the cost of lifeguard wages, the RNLI provides all training and equipment costs for the lifeguard service.

"Last year, it cost £8m to run the 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.

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.