Peter Sharrod joined Hastings & St. Leonards Voluntary Lifeguards in 2002 where he took his RLSS Bronze Medallion, National Pool Lifeguard and National Beach Lifeguard qualification. Whilst working as a Beach Lifeguard for Hastings Borough Council last summer Peter carried out a spectacular rescue for which he has received a number of awards. On Friday 25 May 2007 the Hastings and St. Leonards Observer reported that Peter received his Royal Humane Society Testimonial on Vallum and Resuscitation certificate at Haberdasher’s Hall, London, from Princess Alexandra. The report of his rescue was reported in the same paper on 22 December 2006 as follows:

“STUDENT NETS AWARDS FOR REMARKABLE RESCUE “

A St Leonards student who dragged a drowning woman 250 metres to shore, swimming backwards, and then spent 15 minutes fighting bring her back from the brink of death by giving her the kiss-of-life is to receive two top lifesaving awards one of them by Royal approval.

Peter Sharrod, 18, of St Leonards on Sea, has been awarded a Royal Humane Society Testimonial on Vellum personally approved and signed by the Society's president, Princess Alexandra.

And he is also to receive one of the Society's resuscitation certificates for saving the life of the un-named 27-year old woman at Hastings beach on 10 September.

Today he also won the personal praise of the Society's Secretary, Major General David Pennefather, for what he said was a "remarkable" rescue.

Speaking at the Society's London headquarters, Maj Gen Pennefather said that Peter was practicing on a paddle ski - a board used to tow swimmers through the surf – when he saw a swimmer about 250 metres out to sea waving her arms.

He continued: "Peter realised the woman was in difficulties and started to paddle out to her. When he arrived by her side he realised she was unable to hold on to the board and was slipping into unconsciousness.

"He therefore abandoned the board and dragged the woman to the shore, all the while swimming backwards and holding her head above water. During this 250 metres swim, the woman appeared to be lifeless.

"Once ashore, Sharrod established that the woman was not breathing, and had no pulse. He began mouth to mouth resuscitation and chest compressions, carrying on for 15 minutes before the woman began to breathe for herself.

"She was taken to hospital where she made a full recovery. However, she would surely have died but for Mr Sharrod's incredible efforts.

"To swim for such a distance

backwards, carrying another person, then carry out a long and physically punishing resuscitation, was remarkable. He showed admirable bravery, selflessness and fitness to pull off this rescue.

"I know his family are rightly proud, indeed his father Charles recommended him for these awards. We are delighted to accept his recommendation. He richly deserves it."

At the same time as praising Mr Sharrod Maj Gen Pennefather also appealed for information from the public about any incidents they know of in which people who have put their lives at risk to save others or who have carried out a successful resuscitation.

"We need to be told about incidents in which people have taken this sort of action in order to make our awards and want to hear from any-one who thinks they know of an incident in which an award should be "given," he said.

Peter has now joined the Royal Navy. We all wish him ‘Good luck’ in his future career.