RNLI lifeguards return to Formby beach this weekend ahead of the Easter Holidays

Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeguards are set to return to beaches in the North West this weekend ahead of the Easter Holidays. The RNLI are advising that anyone visiting the coast, should choose a lifeguarded beach.

Last year (2024) lifeguards in the North West of England responded to 542 incidents, aided 819 people and took 134,740 preventative actions. The most frequent incidents the north-west lifeguards attended involved walkers and swimmers in difficulty.

This Saturday 5 April, RNLI lifeguards are returning to their posts to keep visitors safe at beaches across the North West.

The RNLI will be patrolling at the following beaches everyday from 10am-6pm between Saturday 5 April and Monday 21 April:

In Sefton #Formby, #Crosby, #Ainsdale and #Southport beaches. After the Easter holidays, Crosby continues with its daily lifeguard cover. Ainsdale will be patrolled full-time from 3 May. Southport and Formby will be patrolled from 3 May on weekends only up until 26 May when they will be patrolled every day for the half-term week. The service at Southport and Formby will then return to weekends only until 5 July, when the service goes live full-time for the remainder of the season.

On the Wirral West Kirby, Moreton, Harrison Drive, The Plateaux and New Brighton beaches. After the Easter holidays, the lifeguard service will run on weekends only up until 24 May when the service goes live to seven days a week full time cover (10am-6pm) for the rest of the season.

The RNLI encourages beachgoers to swim between the red and yellow flags. Lifeguards position the flags in the safest area of the beach and patrol this area at all times. Anyone intending on surfing or participating in hard craft activity (such as using paddleboards), should stay between the black and white flags.

At this time of year, when the sea is at its coldest, cold water shock is a possibility. Water temperature below 15 degrees can affect breathing and movement, which often causes panic and can lead to drowning.

Anyone planning a dip is advised to wear a wetsuit, to minimise the risk of cold water shock and having a floatation device is recommended.

Lucy Tilston, RNLI Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for the Wirral said: “We’re very much looking forward to having our lifeguards back on the beach. Our team have recently gone through intensive training in preparation for the Easter holidays.

‘Should people plan on going in the sea during the holidays, we encourage them to visit one of our patrolled beaches. We can keep an eye on you between our flags. Our goal is to keep everyone safe.

‘If you go in the sea at a non-patrolled beach, make sure someone knows where you are at all times and that you have a means of calling for help.

‘If you find yourself, or see anyone else in difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. If you fall in the water unexpectedly, try to relax and float to live.’

RNLI Float to Live advice:

· Tilt your head back with your ears submerged

· Relax and try to breathe normally

· Move your hands to help you stay afloat

· It’s okay if your legs sink, we all float differently

· Spread your arms and legs to improve stability