A MAN was rescued a mile out to sea after his kayak capsized early on Saturday evening.

The dramatic real life emergency happened just three days after 12 volunteers at Sunderland RNLI Lifeboat Station completed the charity’s new Casualty Care training course.

Volunteers were called into action following reports of a 64-year-old County Durham man being stranded and drifting on top of his upturned kayak over a mile out to sea from Roker beach.

The rescue mission was launched shortly before 5.45pm when Humber Coastguard received a call from the man reporting he had capsized and was unable to right the kayak.

With the strong offshore wind he was concerned that he was being blown further offshore.

Officers immediately contacted Sunderland RNLI to request the launch of their D Class inshore lifeboat.

The lifeboat launched seven minutes later crewed by Helmsman Sam Clow along with two volunteer crew.

Mr Clow said: “When we arrived the kayaker was lying across the capsized kayak keeping himself afloat as well as keeping his face clear of the water.

“Our immediate priority was to get him out of the water and start to warm him through.”

After pulling the casualty from the water and onto the lifeboat he was then assessed by one of the charities qualified casualty carers.

During the journey back to the lifeboat station the man was continually assessed and treated for his exposure to the cold.

Once back in Sunderland Marina the casualty was handed over to paramedics for further assessment and treatment.

Mr Clow added: “Thankfully, the kayaker was very well equipped so this bought him enough time for us to reach him and pull him from the water.

“Even with his buoyancy aid and protective clothing he was extremely cold when we pulled him from the water.

“Without this equipment and the swift joint response from emergency services he may not have been here to tell the tale.”

The charity’s Casualty Care training course was developed by Sea Survival and First Aid Trainers at RNLI Headquarters, Poole and has a symptom based approach.