Port Talbot RNLI diverted from an assessment to a medical emergency
All volunteers are trained to a high level to provide casualty care at sea, however this was an unusual situation as it was a land based medical emergency, due to the local Port Talbot Coastguard having already been tasked to another incident.
On Thursday 16 April, HM Coastguard tasked Port Talbot RNLI volunteers to a casualty having a medical episode in close proximity to the lifeboat station, with volunteers grabbing essential medical equipment from the boat and dashing to the aid of the casualty. Leaving a skeleton crew to continue washing down and preparing the lifeboat to be made ready for next service.
The remainder of the crew provided care to the casualty, while awaiting the arrival of the next level of care from the local Ambulance service. This care involved making the casualty as comfortable as possible by providing reassurance, completing medical assessments using check cards and assessing the casualty's mechanism of injury and their responses, as well as checking their airway and breathing rate. RNLI volunteers noted each check on the check cards and provided care based on the assessment results. The check cards also allow volunteers to hand over efficiently to the next level of care upon their arrival.
Thankfully after a short wait, the Welsh Ambulance Service arrived on scene and RNLI volunteers were able to hand over the casualty to the next level of care.
While all this was going on, a volunteer crew member at Port Talbot RNLI being assessed hadn't been told the outcome of his assessment.
The evening saw a tier one pass out, which involved being assessed by Paul Skinner, Lifeboat Training Coordinator assessing volunteer Tom Charles on towing, mooring, berthing, anchoring, veering, search and rescue.
Under the command of Helm and Merchant Seaman Officer, Tom Hopkins.
With the majority of RNLI volunteers having no sea going experience, the team are fortunate at Port Talbot RNLI to have a number of crew who earn their living from the sea and can pass on valuable and vital knowledge.
On return to the station after 90 minutes of assessment, the many hours of training by volunteer Tom Charles, were rewarded by the smile and handshake of assessor Paul Skinner.
On a very eventful evening, all at Port Talbot RNLI would like to congratulate Tom Charles for all his hard work and success this evening. Tom now starts training for the final sector of training, tier two crew with a final pass-out assessment to become fully fledge volunteer crew.
ENDS
Notes to editors
ยท Port Talbot lifeboat station has been operating since 1966. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: Port Talbot Lifeboat Station - RNLI Lifeboat Stations
For more information please contact Port Talbot RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Ceri Jeffreys on [email protected], or Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected] or 07977 728 315.
Alternatively, you can contact the RNLI Press Office on [email protected] or 01202 336789.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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