The Club
Kenfig Sands is probably the smallest Surf Lifesaving Club in the world. With only a handful of members, the club is still able to provide a lifeguard service and Community First Responders throughout the busy periods of the summer months. The club offers first aid, safety advice and lifeguard training along with information on the local area. The beach itself is on a nature reserve and so it teaming with marine and bird life. The area itself is also steeped in history and tales of smuggling.
Our Location
As the most westerly beach in Bridgend, its location makes it remote and isolated so is thankful for this much needed service. The club can also offer first aid, safety advice, lifeguard training along with information on the local area. Only accessible on foot, 4x4 or horseback, access is via Kenfig dunes or the Coastal footpath. The club is equipped to deal with most incidents that could occur on a beach. The equipment ranges from surf rescue equipment, spinal injury management equipment, defibrillator and oxygen resuscitation tools. This enables club volunteers to respond immediately to a variety of different first aid and emergency incidents giving the Emergency Services enough time to arrive on scene. The beach sits on Kenfig Sands Nature Reserve so is teaming with bird life. The area itself is also steeped in history and tales of smuggling.
Tools of the Trade
Rescue Tube - This is common sight around beaches and pools around the world. n in colour and size, this is traditionally the one thing a lifeguard should never be without. It can be passed to a non-swimmer or clipped around unconscious casualties to tow them to safety. It can also be used to float an unconscious patient to allow open water resuscitation.
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Rescue Board - This is a purpose built piece rescue tool and not just a large surfboard. The board is designed to cope with large surf, act as a support when rescuing multiple or unconscious casualties and is possible to surf in a casualty. The majority of rescues on British beaches are carried out within 100m from the shore so is the quickest way for a single lifeguard to respond, depending on the conditions.
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Life Support Gear - The club members are trained and can respond to a wide variety of first aid incidents on the beach, the coastline and surrounding area. The first aid kits rage from lightweight grab bags used for general patrol and minor first aid to larger life support equipment such as resuscitation equipment and a defibrillator. These are used to keep the patient alive by breathing or to restore normal heart rhythm in cardiac arrest victims.
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VHF Radio - Almost all rescue services across Great Britain and Ireland use very this high frequency radio (VHF). It has a wide variety of uses for lifeguards including general communication on private channels to liaising with near-by lifeguard clubs and other rescue services. Some club members are certified RYA Marine Radio Short Range operators and are competent in VHF communication and procedures.
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ATV - The club is lucky enough to have a National Lottery funded four-wheel-drive all-terrain vehicle (Quad bike). The capability of the quad allows quick response to incidents on the beach and the hard to access coastal path. The extent of Kenfig Sands beach stretches for miles so can extent the reach of the patrols. With good mobility, it can allow access to surrounding areas quickly in response to an incident and transport lifesaving equipment in a hurry.
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