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Edinburgh Reporter
6 days ago
- Health
- Edinburgh Reporter
North Berwick lifeboat help swimmer in difficulty
The RNLI lifeboat SUNIJO was launched on Friday at 7.35pm to help a swimmer at Gullane who had 'experienced a medical episode'. The casualty had collapsed after coming out of the water and felt unwell. After a medical handover from the Coastguard Rescue Teams who had been looking after the person the lifeboat crew transported them to a waiting ambulance in North Berwick. Helm, Fraser Fulton said 'Due to the remote location of the casualty and his condition it was decided that the lifeboat was the best option to get him to safety. Lifeboat volunteers are trained in casualty care, so are able to stabilise a casualty before handing over to the ambulance service.' Water Safety Advisor, Matthew Gibbons said: 'This incident highlights the hidden dangers of cold water. Whilst the majority of the time, we can enjoy a quick dip in the sea, our bodies may react differently, especially if the air temperature is significantly warmer than normal. 'When we enter cold water, our body undergoes a number of physiological processes to protect itself. These include the cold shock response and reactions to immersion, involving a centralisation of blood flow. When we exit the water, vasodilation can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, which may also be enhanced by the act of standing up. 'These processes can put the body under stress, and may cause fainting or worse especially if you're not used to cold water, are dehydrated or have underlying medical conditions. The bottom line is, it can happen to anyone. 'If you're headed into the water, never go alone, acclimatise slowly taking time to enter the water, stay within your depth and get out before you feel cold. If you get into trouble, try to stay calm, float on your back with your ears submerged, looking up to the sky making small movements with your hands. 'In any coastal emergency, dial 999 for the Coastguard who will arrange the most appropriate response to get you the help you need.' Rescues like these are made possible through donations from the public. North Berwick RNLI are hosting their annual Open Day on Saturday 19 July, 11am-4pm at Anchor Green, North Berwick Harbour. There will be fun for all including live sea shanties and Scottish music, second hand books, tombola, raffle, and home baking stalls, the RNLI shop, kids zone and safety advice from North Berwick's Coastguard Rescue Team, Surf Life Saving Club, and Community First Responders. Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
7 days ago
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
East Lothian swimmer rescued after 'medical episode' as RNLI issues warning
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Volunteers at North Berwick RNLI sprang into action to evacuate a casualty experiencing a medical episode after swimming near Gullane during the latest spell of hot weather. The incident took place on Friday, July 11, at 7.35pm when Coastguard Rescue Teams from North Berwick and Dunbar requested the assistance of the RNLI to evacuate the casualty who had collapsed after exiting the water due to feeling unwell. After a medical handover from the Coastguard Rescue Team, the lifeboat crew transported the casualty to a waiting ambulance at North Berwick. Helm, Fraser Fulton said: 'Due to the remote location of the casualty and his condition it was decided that the lifeboat was the best option to get him to safety. Lifeboat volunteers are trained in casualty care, so are able to stabilise a casualty before handing over to the ambulance service.' Water Safety Advisor, Matthew Gibbons said: 'This incident highlights the hidden dangers of cold water. Whilst the majority of the time, we can enjoy a quick dip in the sea, our bodies may react differently, especially if the air temperature is significantly warmer than normal.' 'When we enter cold water, our body undergoes a number of physiological processes to protect itself. These include the cold shock response and reactions to immersion, involving a centralisation of blood flow. When we exit the water, vasodilation can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, which may also be enhanced by the act of standing up. 'These processes can put the body under stress, and may cause fainting or worse especially if you're not used to cold water, are dehydrated or have underlying medical conditions. The bottom line is, it can happen to anyone. "If you're headed into the water, never go alone, acclimatise slowly taking time to enter the water, stay within your depth and get out before you feel cold. If you get into trouble, try to stay calm, float on your back with your ears submerged, looking up to the sky making small movements with your hands. "In any coastal emergency, dial 999 for the Coastguard who will arrange the most appropriate response to get you the help you need." Rescues like these are made possible through donations from the public. North Berwick RNLI are hosting their annual Open Day on Saturday 19 July, 11am-4pm at Anchor Green, North Berwick Harbour. It promises to be a fun day our for all the family with live sea shanties and Scottish music, second hand books, tombola, raffle, and home baking stalls, the RNLI shop, kids zone and safety advice from North Berwick's Coastguard Rescue Team, Surf Life Saving Club, and Community First Responders.
Daily Record
05-07-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Edinburgh RNLI rescue group cut off by tide at Cramond Island
RNLI crew in Edinburgh were dispatched to Cramond Island after reports of a group who had become cut off by the tide and were in need of help. Edinburgh lifeboat rescue crews raced to save a group of people who found themselves 'cut off by the tide'. The RNLI Queensferry Lifeboat rushed to Cramond Island on Sunday June 29 after receiving reports of individuals who had become stranded. This came just as volunteer crew were finishing up their annual open day. The lifeboat was retasked after arriving at the scene to Limekilns where children were stranded on the rocks - with that task a higher priority due to the flooding tide, reports Edinburgh Live. After they had ensured the children were safe, the crew returned to Cramond Island and took the group back to Cramond Village where they were met by local coastguard teams. An RNLI spokesperson said: "The initial tasking was to reports of three persons cut off by the tide on Cramond Island. The lifeboat was launched, and made way to the scene. "Upon arrival, UK Coastguard retasked the lifeboat to attend an incident at Limekilns pier where a number of children were reported to be stranded on rocks. As this was a higher priority tasking and a flooding tide, the lifeboat made best speed to Limekilns. "The crew found three paddle boarders as they arrived on scene. It was confirmed that these were the casualties initially reported by the first informant. The paddleboarders confirmed they were on the rocks earlier, and were safe and well. "Following this, the crew made their way back to Cramond Island to continue with the original tasking. Five persons were recovered from the island and taken to Cramond Village, to meet with local Coastguard teams. "The lifeboat was refuelled and made ready for service again at 7.50pm." In a separate incident on June 24, we reported that two people had to be rescued by the RNLI after getting into difficulty in an inflatable kayak off the coast of North Berwick. The pair were caught in fierce offshore winds and began drifting dangerously out to sea, prompting a rescue operation by the North Berwick RNLI. Volunteers launched lifeboat SUNIJO just before 4pm on Tuesday June 24, after receiving an emergency call. Strong south-westerly winds created a serious risk, and the kayak users were unable to paddle back to shore. Coastguard rescue teams said the speed at which they were drifting meant they would not have been able to make it back safely without help. Working alongside the North Berwick Coastguard Rescue Team and tour vessels from the Scottish Seabird Centre, RNLI crews located the duo and brought them safely back to land, reports EdinburghLive. RNLI helm Fraser Fulton issued a warning about the dangers of offshore winds, which are often underestimated. He said: 'Offshore winds are seen as a hidden danger at the coast. It may seem sheltered right inshore, but further out to sea the conditions are significantly different, with large waves and stronger winds that can be difficult to paddle against. 'We advise against using any inflatable, not powered by an engine, on the sea during offshore winds. Unfortunately in North Berwick, with the prevailing south-westerly winds, that is the majority of the time.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Daily Record
24-06-2025
- Climate
- Daily Record
Kayakers rescued after being swept out to sea in North Berwick by strong winds
RNLI volunteers launched a lifeboat to bring the two people back to safety. Two people had to be rescued by the RNLI after getting into difficulty in an inflatable kayak off the coast of North Berwick. The pair were caught in fierce offshore winds and began drifting dangerously out to sea, prompting a rescue operation by the North Berwick RNLI. Volunteers launched lifeboat SUNIJO just before 4pm on Tuesday, June 24, after receiving an emergency call. Strong south-westerly winds created a serious risk, and the kayak users were unable to paddle back to shore. Coastguard rescue teams said the speed at which they were drifting meant they would not have been able to make it back safely without help. Working alongside the North Berwick Coastguard Rescue Team and tour vessels from the Scottish Seabird Centre, RNLI crews located the duo and brought them safely back to land, reports EdinburghLive. RNLI helm Fraser Fulton issued a warning about the dangers of offshore winds, which are often underestimated. He said: 'Offshore winds are seen as a hidden danger at the coast. It may seem sheltered right inshore, but further out to sea the conditions are significantly different, with large waves and stronger winds that can be difficult to paddle against. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. 'We advise against using any inflatable, not powered by an engine, on the sea during offshore winds. Unfortunately in North Berwick, with the prevailing south-westerly winds, that is the majority of the time.' He added that offshore winds account for many of the RNLI's call-outs, including a serious incident last year involving paddleboarders. Fraser urged anyone heading out on the water to always check the forecast, wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid, and carry a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch or a VHF radio. 'In any coastal emergency, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard,' he said. The incident marked the crew's second call-out in as many days. On Monday morning, June 23, the RNLI were also alerted to a vessel experiencing engine trouble and drifting towards rocks but were stood down before they could launch.
