RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) volunteer crew members, lifeguards, and the people they rescue share what it’s really like to save a life at sea, how it feels to be rescued – and even what happens when the tides turn, and it’s up to you to be your own lifesaver. From launching to rescues in (and out) of the water, to being on call in a global pandemic, hear the real stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. To find out more about the charity, and to support their vital search and rescue service, visit RNLI.org/LifesaversPodcast.
When Dean, from Birmingham, signed up for a kayaking expedition with his cousin, they decided to get some training practice at the coast to prepare for the conditions. But as day fell into night, they couldn't get back to shore from the sea. With empty batteries on their mobile phones, and exhaustion setting in from paddling against the impossible conditions – how would the lifeboat volunteers at Rhyl RNLI find Dean and his cousin in the dark, open water? Find out how to stay safe while kayaking or canoeing: RNLI.org/LifesaversKayakThe RNLI relied entirely on donations. To support our lifesaving service, visit: RNLI.org/LifesaversPodcast
21 Mar 2022
Season 3, Episode 4 - Gemma’s story
In the summer of 2020, Gemma endured a near-fatal cycling accident off a 100ft cliff. She has no memory of the accident – but knows that she is alive today thanks to the help of countless volunteers, including RNLI lifeboat crews. A rescue that’s out of the water may not be the typical scenario you’d imagine RNLI volunteers to launch to. But their training prepares and equips them for any emergency scenario when the call for help comes. Hear Gemma’s remarkable story, and how she’s still here today, as we return to that cliff to take a windy walk.The RNLI relies entirely on donations. To support our lifesaving service, visit: RNLI.org/LifesaversPodcast Find out more about becoming a face-to-face fundraiser by visiting: RNLI.org/F2FLifesaver
14 Mar 2022
Season 3, Episode 3 - Tyler’s story
Sometimes, despite RNLI volunteers’ best efforts, a lifeboat launch doesn’t always bring someone safely home. In this episode, hear an incredibly honest account of a 45-hour search for 24-year-old Tyler Westlake – bravely told by his closest friends, and the volunteers at St Agnes RNLI. With your continued support, our lifeboat crews will keep doing everything they can to save every one who needs them, whenever and wherever that may be. For help about how to choose lifesaving equipment that can keep you safe at the coast, and how to wear it properly, visit: RNLI.org/LifesaversAdviceTo support Tyler’s fundraiser, visit: JustGiving.com/remember/836815/Tyler-Westlake
7 Mar 2022
Season 3, Episode 2 - Tina’s story
Unlike most rescue stories, this is one about what it’s like to be your own lifesaver – and what happens when your best friend can’t do the same.When Tina was at her caravan in Benllech, Anglesey, last summer, her friend Mags convinced her to try sea swimming with her. But when the conditions suddenly changed, and the two friends couldn’t get back to shore, Tina saved her own life in the water by remembering some crucial advice. Discover more about why floating works: RNLI.org/RememberToFloat
28 Feb 2022
Season 3, Episode 1 - Alex and Tori’s story
To be a lifesaver, RNLI lifeguards depend on their training. It’s vigorous. It’s world class. It’s what gives a lifeguard the skills to know exactly what to do when a life is on the line. So, what happens when all you train for doesn’t go to plan? In the first episode of our new series, Mawgan Porth Lifeguards Alex and Tori share what was it was like to risk themselves for a stranger when plan A, and plan B, went wrong. Could you become a lifeguard? Visit: RNLI.org/LifeguardPodcast Find your nearest lifeguarded beach: RNLI.org/LifesaversBeach
24 Feb 2022
Series 3 - coming soon!
New lifesavers are launching on Monday 28th February
27 Jul 2021
World Drowning Prevention Day Special
On the first-ever World Drowning Prevention Day, the RNLI is celebrating the work of lifesavers who work for and with us across the UK, Ireland and further afield.Listen in to hear first-hand from lifesavers in Bangladesh, who have set up and operate the first professional beach lifeguard service in Bangladesh, supported by the RNLI.
23 Nov 2020
Season 2, Episode 4 - ’He floated to live’
In the final episode of the season, hear how 10-year-old Ravi saved his own life when he found himself out of his depth at Scarborough Beach, by floating to live. Unable to reach Ravi in the sea, his parents raised the alarm and Scarborough lifeboat crew launched to his rescue to bring him back to safety. The volunteers share their side of the story and how proud they are of Ravi – plus, they shed some light on how lifesaving has had to adapt with the pandemic. The RNLI is completely reliant on the generosity of the public. And, if you are able to, it would mean so much to us if you could consider giving a kind donation – no matter how big or small – to make more rescues like this possible. Simply visit: RNLI.org/SavingFamilies.
16 Nov 2020
Season 2, Episode 3 - Rescued from the Rip
This week, listen in to a virtual reunion as RNLI lifeguards at Perranporth Beach in Cornwall come digitally face-to-face with Amanda – who they rescued beside her son Ellis and her friend Donna this summer. Amanda was swept out to sea by a flash rip-current and, unable to get back to shore, feared for her life as she was separated from her family. In this episode, the lifeguards get to share the story of how they worked together to save her life, and Amanda gets to ask the million-dollar question: ‘What could I have done differently?’ The RNLI is completely reliant on the generosity of the public. And, if you are able to, it would mean so much to us if you could consider giving a kind donation – no matter how big or small – to make more rescues like this possible. Simply visit: RNLI.org/SavingFamilies.
9 Nov 2020
Season 2, Episode 2 - ’He saved my Daddy’
In this episode we meet Abigail, who shares the story of how she and her two small children watched from the window as her husband and mother-in-law were rescued just in time by Tobermory RNLI. We also speak to Coxswain David McHaffie who led the lifeboat crew who saved Abigail’s family that day. Plus, Abigail has a special message for David to thank him personally for saving the ones she loves.The RNLI is completely reliant on the generosity of the public. And, if you are able to, it would mean so much to us if you could consider giving a kind donation – no matter how big or small – to make more rescues like this possible. Simply visit: RNLI.org/SavingFamilies.
1 Nov 2020
Season 2, Episode 1 - ’I’m going to drown’
We’re back with Season 2! While 2020 has been so uncertain, there’s still one thing that we’ve all been able to depend on in one form or another: family. And in these upcoming episodes, you’ll hear from volunteer crew members and lifeguards who have been on call throughout the pandemic to save a life at sea and bring a family back together again.In our first episode, meet two different lifesavers: Elissa, a volunteer Lifeboat Crew Member from Abersoch RNLI and Andy, a Maritime Operations Officer from HM Coastguard. You’ll hear the real 999 call they received from a 17-year-old paddleboarder at the mercy of the waves – and the story of how Andy and Elissa came to his rescue, just in time.Watch the real footage from this extraordinary rescue here: www.facebook.com/rnli/posts/10158005367428999The RNLI is completely reliant on the generosity of the public. If you're able to, it would mean so much to us if you could consider giving a kind donation – no matter how big or small – to make more rescues like this possible. Simply visit: RNLI.org/SavingFamilies.
29 Oct 2019
Episode 5 - Georgia Keating
In our final episode of the series, say hello to Georgia Keating – a volunteer crew member from Crosshaven Lifeboat Station. Georgia describes what it’s like to be a young woman on a lifeboat crew, and why it’s so important to her for young girls to see her as a lifesaver; she shares how there’s never any pressure on the crew to prove themselves, regardless of a person’s age; and she lets us in on the amazing friendships she’s made since joining the RNLI.Plus, she tells the story of the day she saved a life, as the crew launched to rescue an injured fisherman at sea.
22 Oct 2019
Episode 4 - Sam Harwood
This week, it’s October half term and we head to Fistral Beach to meet Sam Harwood – a lifeguard from Newquay. As Sam explains, autumn and winter can be just as busy on the beaches as the summer, so many RNLI lifeguards are still on duty all around the UK and Channel Islands to keep people safe. In this episode, Sam shares the lesser known benefits of lifeguarding – from being able to travel and work on beaches abroad, to using it as a way to meet new friends.Plus, he shares the story of the day he saved a life, as the Fistral Beach lifeguards helped rescued 16 people from a flash rip current in the sea last year.
15 Oct 2019
Episode 3 - Lauren Cooke
For our next episode, we meet Lauren Cooke – a lifeguard and full-time student from Yorkshire. Lauren joined as an RNLI lifeguard when she was 16 years old, and she shares how the job has helped her grow in confidence over the years, offered lots of future opportunities, and how the job really isn’t anything like Baywatch.Summer may be over, but a lifeguard’s training is used all year round as Lauren discovered on a family holiday in 2018. She describes the story of the day she saved a life, when she rescued a baby from choking in a restaurant.
9 Oct 2019
Episode 2 - Al Kassim
In this episode, we catch up with Al Kassim – a volunteer crew member from Tower Lifeboat Station. Al shares how being rescued at sea inspired him to join the lifeboat crew in the city he calls home, how the crew act as each other’s support network in every rescue, and even how volunteering helps him talk to his children about wider issues like mental health. Plus, he describes the story of the day he saved a life, as the crew launched at midnight to rescue someone in the River Thames.
29 Sept 2019
Episode 1 - Anna Heslop
In our debut episode, we meet Anna Heslop – a volunteer crew member from Cullercoats Lifeboat Station. Anna describes her experience of being the only woman on her lifeboat crew, the support the volunteers give each other after experiencing a difficult rescue, and the unexpected confidence boost she’s gained in all aspects of her life since joining the RNLI. Plus, she tells the story of the day she saved a life, as the crew launched to rescue a group of kayakers at sea on a stormy January afternoon.
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