02.07.2011 Drowning opposite Salts Recreation Ground, Seaford

Seaford Lifeguards press release.

Incident: 02/07/11

At 1146 Saturday morning a member of the public cycled up to the Lifeguard post opposite the Salts Recreation Ground, he reported a gentleman face down in the water opposite the Buckle car park. A lifeguard was immediately dispatched by quad bike carrying a rescue board whilst our Inshore Rescue Boat was launched and the Emergency services notified.

At 1159 a 999 call was relayed to Seaford lifeguards by the Coastguard from the Solent Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre who had taken a direct 999 call.  Soon after the call our Lifeguard Medic and Community Responder were also dispatched via quad bike to the incident. Our boat and crew arrived first on scene in a matter of minutes. The gentleman had been pulled to shore by a member of the public who was now attempting to resuscitate the man. The two lifeguards moved the man up the beach and begun Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

Shortly after, our team medic arrived, we were able to establish an airway and use our newly donated defibrillator from the Sussex Heart Charity to increase his chances of survival. At this point the Coastguard team from Newhaven arrived shortly followed by a police officer. The Lifeguards worked together with the Coastguard rescue team and continued CPR.

Ambulance crews arrived and the casualty was handed over them who continued advanced resuscitation with the attendance of SIMCAS Doctor Alan Pearce. Resuscitation attempts continued for 40 minutes until the gentleman was unfortunately pronounced dead.

We always advise that you swim between the red and yellow flags where the lifeguards are monitoring and that you never swim alone.