VOLUNTEERS from Looe Lifeboat Station have warned of the dangers of cold water shock after being called to several incidents in short succession on Thursday.
After helping at a shore based incident in the morning, followed by a false alarm with good intent to two people fishing off a dinghy at Hannafore, pagers sounded again to scramble the inshore lifeboat to a paddleboarder reported to have fallen off their board and unable to get back on.
Arriving on the scene at Plaidy, the crew found the paddleboarder already being assisted ashore.
Before returning to station the volunteer crew decided to do a patrol of the coastline between Millendreath and Portnadler, stopping to check on another paddleboarder who had fallen off their board, and talking to several water users about the potential dangers from the offshore wind, not wearing any form of buoyancy aids and falling into cold water.
“Even though the weather was sunny with little swell out at sea yesterday, there was a strong offshore wind and the sea temperature is still low enough to cause cold water shock, if you enter the water unexpectedly,” said Looe RNLI.
“If you enter the water unexpectedly remember the “Float To Live” safety advice.”
• If you fall into water, fight your instinct to thrash around
• Lean back, extend your arms and legs
• If you need to, gently move them around to help you float
• Float until you can control your breathing
Only then, call for help or swim to safety.