Six swimmers rescued at Trevose Head
It happened yesterday
Six swimmers have been rescued, after getting into difficulty at Barnes Bay, Trevose Head.
It happened just before 11am yesterday (Sunday 16th August).
Falmouth Coastguard issued a ‘MAYDAY’ call over VHF radio. This call is a sign of grave and imminent danger. It triggers a request for vessels in the area to assist immediately.
Wavehunters, Harlyn Lifeguards and Padstow Sealife Safaris did just that.
Along with Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 924, all six people in distress were safely recovered.
🚨 Safety Advice 🚨
Open water swimming has grown in popularity in recent years. But it’s not without risk and it’s easy to underestimate the conditions, or overestimate what our bodies are capable of.
Reduce the risks:
- Check the weather forecast and tide times before you leave home.
- Choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.
- Check the safety signs and flags around the beach, be aware of any dangers, know where to enter and exit the water.
- Look out for rip currents.
- Wear a wetsuit to help you stay warm and increase your buoyancy.
- Make yourself more visible - wear a brightly coloured swim hat and use a tow float.
- Ideally swim with a buddy - have a plan before you enter the water and keep an eye on each other.
- Tell someone where you are going and what time you’ll be back, especially if you're going alone.
- Acclimatise to cold water slowly - enter gradually to reduce the risk of cold water shock.
- Always swim parallel to the shore and not straight out.
- Swim in depths you're comfortable in.
- If in doubt, do not go out - if you feel unwell or unsure of the conditions, do not risk it.
- Carry a means of calling for help you can reach easily in an emergency, for example a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch.
- Take warm clothes and a hot drink for after your swim to help you warm up.
Respect the ocean and stay safe.