Deaf students teach lifeguards sign language

The RNLI's Tim Treloar said the key sign language phrases would help keep beach-goers safe

Deaf students have been teaching some of Devon's lifeguards sign language to help keep more people safe in and around the sea.

The students from the Deaf Academy in Exmouth taught lifeguards phrases in British Sign Language (BSL) relating to water safety during Deaf Awareness Week.

In return, the RNLI lifeguards shared safety tips with the students to help them stay safe in the water.

RNLI water safety education manager Tim Treloar said it had been "an incredible opportunity to learn some key BSL phrases which could be crucial to keeping beach goers safe".

Lifeguards also taught the students about water safety

"These phrases can be shared across the RNLI to enhance the opportunity to communicate with deaf individuals to ensure everyone has a safe day at the beach," he added.

Deaf Awareness Week ran from 5 to 9 May and was aimed at highlighting the communication barriers faced by deaf people which could affect them accessing life-saving information.

Mark Stocks, partnerships and community manager at the Deaf Academy, said: "This partnership emphasises the importance of accessible communication and encourages individuals, businesses and organisations to become more deaf-aware.

"Together, we advocate for an inclusive and safe community for everyone."