A Royal Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeguard rescued a 15-year-old who was complaining of spinal pains after jumping off a rock at Llangrannog, Ceredigion, on Monday August 16.
Lifeguard Sam Willmott was out at sea training on paddle board between the second and third bays at Llangrannog on Monday afternoon, 16 August, when he saw some young lads jumping off a rock that sticks out of the sea at Third Bay – a practice called tombstoning.
Sam went over to the scene, having concerns about the young men’s safety because the tide was going out.
Sam began speaking to the 15-year-old, who had just jumped into the water and was climbing back on to the rock to jump once again, when the young man started to complain of spinal pains and said he would not be able to jump any more because he was in severe pain.
Sam managed to get the teenager down off the rock and onto the rescue paddle board, and also managed to radio lifeguard Sion Jones to ask him to bring a spinal board to Second Bay, where Sam was paddling to with the casualty.
RNLI lifeguard Tim Lomas, at the beach lifeguard unit, was also asked to contact the ambulance service for assistance.
After having paddled the casualty into Second Bay, Sam and Sion, with the assistance of some other people on the beach, managed to put the teenager onto the spinal board which in turn was put on top of the paddle board, for Sam and Sion to wade the board round through a channel in waist-high water to the main bay at Llangrannog.
Once back at the main beach, the young casualty was taken, accompanied by his mother to Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth.
The RNLI’s does not recommend tombstoning – jumping off rocks and cliffs into water – but its safety advice about the practice is as follows:
Tombstoning can be dangerous because:
Water depth alters with the tide – the water may be shallower than it seems
Submerged objects like rocks may not be visible – they can cause serious impact injuries if you land on them
The shock of cold water may make it difficult to swim
Strong currents can rapidly sweep people away.
Those who wish to participate in tombstoning can reduce the risks by remembering the following advice:
Check for hazards in the water. Rocks or submerged objects under the sea may not be visible through the surface ·
Check the depth of the water. Remember tides can rise or fall very quickly – it may start off deep enough but can quickly become shallower
As a rule of thumb, a jump of ten metres requires a depth of at least five metres ·
Never jump while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or peer pressure ·
Consider the risk to others. Conditions can change rapidly – remember young people could be watching and attempt to mimic the activity ·
Check for access, it may be impossible to get out of the water.
