RNLI lifeguards rescued a teenager earlier this month after she suffered a fit while surfing at Bantham beach.

At 2.25pm on Sunday, August 7, RNLI lifeguards were alerted to a girl in difficulty in the water when her friend started calling for help.

RNLI senior lifeguard Loic Doison ran into the water to help support the 17-year-old who had fallen unconscious.

The beach was extremely busy on Sunday, with as many as 500 people in the water in three to four foot swell.

Loic, with support from two other lifeguards, brought the girl ashore where they immediately commenced casualty care.

Loic said: ‘When we got the casualty from the water she was unconscious but breathing. We kept her airways clear and started casualty care before paramedics arrived. Thankfully she did come round, but was taken to hospital for further checks.’

With around 1,500 people on the beach at Bantham yesterday, lifeguards worked hard to keep everyone safe, including providing assistance to ensure water users stayed within the safe bathing areas between the red and yellow flags.

The RNLI’s ‘respect the water’ campaign is running throughout the summer.

To find out more about the dangers of the coast and how to stay safe, visit www.rnli.org/respectthewater or search ‘#respectthewater’ on social media.