Clayton Garforth was paddling near Westport beach on the Mull of Kintyre, not far from Campbeltown, at about 3pm on Saturday 18 July when a sudden swell took him off his feet and away from the shore.
While people on land called 999 and asked for the Coastguard, Clayton knew what to do until help arrived: Float to Live.
Float to Live:
- Relax and fight your instinct to thrash around.
- Lean back with your ears submerged.
- Extend your arms and legs, gently move them if needed.
- Float until you can control your breathing.
- Only then, call 999 for help or swim to safety.
Clayton had learned the lifesaving lesson during a visit by nearby Tarbert Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) to his school, Tarbert Academy, on its Blue Light Day teaching pupils about the emergency services at the start of summer.
Clayton, who wants to be a medic when he grows up, recalled the moment the waves took him: “I was getting further away in the water. I was screaming. But I remembered to float and not use up my energy.”
The emergency at the beach began only 10 minutes after the family from Tarbert arrived, made up of Clayton, sister Faye (11), and mum and dad Damon and Dannie Garforth (both 29), joined by some friends.
I’m still having nightmares about it
Dannie said: “Clayton had literally told his dad, ‘I am just going in the water’ and he turned round and the waves took him out. It had been calm, then the waves instantly came up.
“Every time we tried to get to him we got pushed back in and he was pushed further away. He was standing on some shallow sand at one point and we thought he was okay and then it would suddenly get deeper.”
Damon, who had quickly told their friends to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard, added: “I was keeping my eyes on him and was shouting for him to float on his back – but he knew what to do before I did.
“I can swim but not well, so most of the time I thought that if I went and ended up out there with him we could both be in trouble.” He added: “I’m still having nightmares about it.”
While Clayton kept himself above water, tracked carefully by his parents from the shore, HM Coastguard sent Campbeltown CRT and two Campbeltown RNLI lifeboats. An HM Coastguard helicopter also flew to support.
Well done to Clayton and his family for reacting so sensibly
Before the rescuers arrived, however, Clayton was safely helped out of the sea by a father-and-son pair of surfers, Damon explained.
The youngster was freezing cold and had swallowed water. But after being taken to hospital by the Scottish Ambulance Service for a check-up, he was well enough to go home the same day.
David Graham is Coastal Operations Area Commander for Argyle and the Isles. He said: “Well done to Clayton and his family for reacting so sensibly to such a sudden, scary incident. It shows how quickly an emergency can begin but also the best way to respond.
“I’m very proud it was our Tarbert CRT who taught the lifesaving Float to Live advice that kept Clayton safe and gave him the best chance of survival. By saving his energy, he gave time for rescue and for HM Coastguard to respond to the 999 call.”
As well as Float to Live, Clayton had his own message to other children going to the coast: “Be careful near big waves – and stay safe.”
• In an emergency by the coast call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Main photo: Clayton during his visit to hospital after his rescue
