Lifeguards have helped saved the lives of two teenagers at a popular North East seaside location after they got into serious difficulty while swimming.
Earlier this month, lifeguards at King Edwards Bay lifeguards assisted two 16-year-old girls struggling in the water, before administering first aid.
According to the RNLI, the charity’s lifeguards became aware of two teenagers struggling in the water out of their depth.
With the risk of losing both teenagers in the waves, senior lifeguard Alex Tatro entered the water with a rescue board and reached the duo who were only 20m offshore.
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One casualty was clearly struggling, so Alex helped her onto the rescue board, whilst her friend held on to the side.
The charity’s lifeguard then paddled them safely back to shore, where the two 16-year-olds underwent a series of checks.
The duo were shaken up and had swallowed lots of water.
After bringing them out of the water, the two 16-year-olds were escorted to the lifeguard unit.
According to the RNLI, the casualty who had been particularly struggling in the water quickly deteriorated and became dizzy and faint.
She then had a seizure in the unit, with lifeguard Jackson Laycock administering oxygen to the casualty, before phoning the ambulance.
Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade quickly arrived and assisted in providing medical care for the other casualty, which included monitoring and a space blanket to prevent heat loss.
After 30 minutes, the initial casualty began to regain consciousness as the ambulance arrived.
Both casualties’ conditions quickly improved and were allowed home after the ambulance undertook a series of checks.
Following the rescue, lifeguard supervisor Andy Choumanidis praised his team’s hard work in assisting the duo, by saying: “Our lifeguards have received brilliant first-aid training, which is essential and even lifesaving when waiting for further medical assistance to arrive.
“It was very sensible of the two girls to choose to swim at a lifeguarded beach between the red and yellow flags.
“As soon as they found themselves in difficulty, one of our lifeguards was quickly able to identify and assist them.”
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