Wells lifeboat crew advises tide checks and water safety after busy weekend
RNLI shares tips for a safer seaside experience
Beachgoers heading to Wells and the surrounding North Norfolk coast are being advised to check tide times and prioritise water safety, following guidance from the local RNLI lifeboat crew.
The advice comes as summer holidays commence and increased calls are made to water rescue services.
The Wells RNLI team were called out twice on Sunday (26th July), within minutes of each other. Mandy Humphreys, part of the crew at Wells Station, says both incidents were 'dangerous situations'.
Mandy highlights the significance of being aware of tidal patterns, as Wells Beach is particularly prone to tidal cut offs.
"You can get cut off on different areas along the North Norfolk coast, but Wells Beach is a real hot spot for us,
This year, we've rescued 47 people and 30 of them were cut off by the tide, and I suspect if I looked at the numbers, probably 25 of them will be cut off by the tide on Wells Beach."
Mandy stressed the need for beach visitors to be vigilant about tide times, suggesting staying within the hour on either side of high or low tide for safe entry and exit from the water.
"The hour either side of low tide is when the water is moving at its slowest and therefore it's a safer time to swim because you're not battling very strong currents.
The currents may well be too strong for a weak swimmer, even in the hour either side, but that's when it's moving at its slowest."
She also urged visitors to swim in the designated areas, marked by yellow boys.
RNLI crews are continuing to spread advice on cold water shock, Mandy explained the dangers of cold water shock:
"Stay in your depth until you're accustomed to the water temperature, sudden immersion might lead to panic and difficulty in breathing, increasing the risk of drowning."
Other advice from the RNLI, concerns Inflatables.
Mandy suggests that inflatables 'even the unicorn ones' pose significant risks, particularly due to unpredictable wind conditions.
Despite their popularity, inflatables can swiftly be carried out to sea, even without strong winds.
Mandy's advice is straightforward: "Don't bring inflatables to the beach. They are so dangerous in the sea."
Overall, the message remains to check the tide times, and swim in designated swim spots: "I want people to be able to have great fun in the water. It's just trying to do it that little bit more safely."