CREW from Burnham-on-Sea Lifeboat Station met with a group of Somerset doctors who volunteer across the county to educate them on the important role the emergency service has.

Doctors from Somerset Accident Voluntary Emergency Service (SAVES) visited the lifeboat station on March 7 to find out more about the rescue protocols and immediate treatment of casualties in and near the water.

Dr Matt Booker, one of the SAVES doctors, said; “It was very interesting for us to hear from the crews about their capabilities, equipment and operating procedures.

"As fellow voluntary emergency responders in Somerset, it is really helpful to be able to understand each others' roles and ways of working, ahead of potentially meeting one day at a real incident.

" If we are ever helping to treat a casualty that the lifeboat crew have rescued, we will know a little more about what treatment they are likely to have had out on the water which is very important.

"We’re very grateful for the crew’s time in explaining the set-up.”

SAVES Doctors respond across the county to seriously injured and unwell patients at the request of the ambulance service to provide enhanced clinical care under the umbrella of BASICS (British Association for Immediate Care).

The medical practitioners were keen to learn more about the lifesaving work the lifeboat crews do in Burnham-on-Sea.

Crew members gave the doctors a tour around the station, lifeboats and showed them where they launch for rescues.

The lifeboat crew also spoke to the volunteers about their procedures for water rescues.

A spokesman for Burnham-on-Sea lifeboats said: "With some very busy areas of coastline in their responding patch, the SAVES doctors were keen to understand a little more about the work of the lifeboats and were pleased to be invited to have a look at the set-up.

"The crew showed the doctors around the station and the boats & launch equipment, gave a talk about their capabilities and procedures, and explained some of their protocols for the rescue and immediate treatment of casualties in and near the water."

For more information about the RNLI visit burnham-on-searnli.org.uk or facebook.com/burnham.coastguard/