Falmouth volunteers have attained national lifeguard qualifications to continue delivering lifesaving beach patrol service during off-peak periods.

RNLI Lifeguards provide a much-needed service to our local beaches during peak times, however, Surf Life Saving GB clubs, such as Gyllyngvase Surf Life Saving Club, provide voluntary water safety cover during off-peak periods, such as evenings, weekdays, and out of season.

Members of the local club in Falmouth volunteer their rescue, first aid, and life support skills to ensure that everyone using the sea is as safe as possible, by regularly patrolling the beach and performing lifesaving assistance for those in danger when needed.

This summer, 37 club members took their training to the next level and achieved their National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ), which is a national standard for beach lifeguarding, endorsed by the National Water Safety Forum and the RNLI.

The NVBLQ covers all elements of beach lifeguard theory, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, pool skills, and open water skills.

The course, which club members successfully completed, is physically demanding and requires a high level of dedication to meet the qualification criteria.

Vice-Chair of Gyllyngvase Surf Life Saving Club, Alice Lord said:

"We started off doing patrols last summer when the RNLI couldn't be on the beach because of Covid. We have volunteers down there who are qualified lifeguards, who've done their lifeguard award through the club, and they set up on the beach and give advice to people about going in the water, conditions, and general safety really."

This wrap-around service ensures that some of Cornwall's hotspots, such as Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth, remain manned during the busy holiday season when the RNLI service isn't operating.