Lifesavers: An RNLI podcast

On the first-ever World Drowning Prevention Day, the RNLI is celebrating the work of lifesavers who work for and with us across the UK, Ireland and further afield. Listen in to hear first-hand from lifesavers in Bangladesh, who have set up and operate the first professional beach lifeguard service in Bangladesh, supported by the RNLI.

In the final episode of the season, hear how 10-year-old Ravi saved his own life when he found himself out of his depth at Scarborough Beach, by floating to live. Unable to reach Ravi in the sea, his parents raised the alarm and Scarborough lifeboat crew launched to his rescue to bring him back to safety. The volunteers share their side of the story and how proud they are of Ravi – plus, they shed some light on how lifesaving has had to adapt with the pandemic. The RNLI is completely reliant on the generosity of the public. And, if you are able to, it would mean so much to us if you could consider giving a kind donation – no matter how big or small – to make more rescues like this possible. Simply visit: RNLI.org/SavingFamilies.

This week, listen in to a virtual reunion as RNLI lifeguards at Perranporth Beach in Cornwall come digitally face-to-face with Amanda – who they rescued beside her son Ellis and her friend Donna this summer. Amanda was swept out to sea by a flash rip-current and, unable to get back to shore, feared for her life as she was separated from her family. In this episode, the lifeguards get to share the story of how they worked together to save her life, and Amanda gets to ask the million-dollar question: ‘What could I have done differently?’ The RNLI is completely reliant on the generosity of the public. And, if you are able to, it would mean so much to us if you could consider giving a kind donation – no matter how big or small – to make more rescues like this possible. Simply visit: RNLI.org/SavingFamilies.

In this episode we meet Abigail, who shares the story of how she and her two small children watched from the window as her husband and mother-in-law were rescued just in time by Tobermory RNLI. We also speak to Coxswain David McHaffie who led the lifeboat crew who saved Abigail’s family that day. Plus, Abigail has a special message for David to thank him personally for saving the ones she loves. The RNLI is completely reliant on the generosity of the public. And, if you are able to, it would mean so much to us if you could consider giving a kind donation – no matter how big or small – to make more rescues like this possible. Simply visit: RNLI.org/SavingFamilies.

We’re back with Season 2! While 2020 has been so uncertain, there’s still one thing that we’ve all been able to depend on in one form or another: family. And in these upcoming episodes, you’ll hear from volunteer crew members and lifeguards who have been on call throughout the pandemic to save a life at sea and bring a family back together again. In our first episode, meet two different lifesavers: Elissa, a volunteer Lifeboat Crew Member from Abersoch RNLI and Andy, a Maritime Operations Officer from HM Coastguard. You’ll hear the real 999 call they received from a 17-year-old paddleboarder at the mercy of the waves – and the story of how Andy and Elissa came to his rescue, just in time. Watch the real footage from this extraordinary rescue here: https://www.facebook.com/rnli/posts/10158005367428999 The RNLI is completely reliant on the generosity of the public. If you're able to, it would mean so much to us if you could consider giving a kind donation – no matter how big or small – to make more rescues like this possible. Simply visit: RNLI.org/SavingFamilies.

In our final episode of the series, say hello to Georgia Keating – a volunteer crew member from Crosshaven Lifeboat Station. Georgia describes what it’s like to be a young woman on a lifeboat crew, and why it’s so important to her for young girls to see her as a lifesaver; she shares how there’s never any pressure on the crew to prove themselves, regardless of a person’s age; and she lets us in on the amazing friendships she’s made since joining the RNLI. Plus, she tells the story of the day she saved a life, as the crew launched to rescue an injured fisherman at sea.

This week, it’s October half term and we head to Fistral Beach to meet Sam Harwood – a lifeguard from Newquay. As Sam explains, autumn and winter can be just as busy on the beaches as the summer, so many RNLI lifeguards are still on duty all around the UK and Channel Islands to keep people safe. In this episode, Sam shares the lesser known benefits of lifeguarding – from being able to travel and work on beaches abroad, to using it as a way to meet new friends. Plus, he shares the story of the day he saved a life, as the Fistral Beach lifeguards helped rescued 16 people from a flash rip current in the sea last year.

For our next episode, we meet Lauren Cooke – a lifeguard and full-time student from Yorkshire. Lauren joined as an RNLI lifeguard when she was 16 years old, and she shares how the job has helped her grow in confidence over the years, offered lots of future opportunities, and how the job really isn’t anything like Baywatch. Summer may be over, but a lifeguard’s training is used all year round as Lauren discovered on a family holiday in 2018. She describes the story of the day she saved a life, when she rescued a baby from choking in a restaurant.

In this episode, we catch up with Al Kassim – a volunteer crew member from Tower Lifeboat Station. Al shares how being rescued at sea inspired him to join the lifeboat crew in the city he calls home, how the crew act as each other’s support network in every rescue, and even how volunteering helps him talk to his children about wider issues like mental health. Plus, he describes the story of the day he saved a life, as the crew launched at midnight to rescue someone in the River Thames.

In our debut episode, we meet Anna Heslop – a volunteer crew member from Cullercoats Lifeboat Station. Anna describes her experience of being the only woman on her lifeboat crew, the support the volunteers give each other after experiencing a difficult rescue, and the unexpected confidence boost she’s gained in all aspects of her life since joining the RNLI. Plus, she tells the story of the day she saved a life, as the crew launched to rescue a group of kayakers at sea on a stormy January afternoon.