Help keep a lifesaving eye on Littlehampton’s sun-soakers

The town may still be gripped by winter’s chill, but the RNLI has been looking to more temperate climates this week as it launched its recruitment drive for new beach lifeguards to cover the summer season.

The call for new recruits comes as figures released this week reveal Littlehampton lifeguards dealt with 133 incidents, rescued 16 people and gave first aid 79 times in 2014. They also found 19 missing children.

New candidates will need to prove they are courageous, selfless, trustworthy and dependable – the RNLI’s core values – to make the grade and win the right to call the beach their office.

In return, they will receive world-class training in search and rescue, lifesaving and casualty care techniques, as well as boosting their CVs with invaluable skills that should impress future employers.

Ed Stevens, RNLI lifeguard manager, said: “Being an RNLI beach lifeguard is not only Littlehampton’s best summer job – it’s got to be Britain’s best summer job as well. The beach is your office. You get paid to train, practice saving people from drowning and first aid skills, so you’re ready to leap into action and save a life at a moment’s notice.

“Lifeguards come from all walks of life including teachers, business owners and gap-year travellers, but we do recruit a lot of students and college pupils because it’s a seasonal job.

“So, if you’re thinking about stacking shelves or temping in an office this summer, think again. Why not swap the shirt and tie for shorts and sunglasses and see if you’ve got what it takes to be a beach lifeguard with the RNLI.”

Beach lifeguard online recruitment opened earlier this month at www.rnli.org.uk/jobs.

The RNLI is looking for people who are aged 16 or over, fit and healthy, strong swimmers and who want to do something extraordinary with their summer.

Visit the RNLI’s beach lifeguard web pages to find out more about working as a lifeguard this season, or email Ed Stevens at [email protected] for more details.

A short film showing what it is like to be a lifeguard with the charity is available on the RNLI’s YouTube channel. People can also follow the RNLI’s lifeguard on Twitter @RNLIlifeguardSE