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How the Baywatch movie helped save the life of a Gateshead teenager; Evan Chrisp described how an RNLI advert before the film offered life saving advice he put into practice.

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Byline: Mike Kelly

A teenager has revealed how going to see the Baywatch movie helped save his life.

The Hollywood film about US lifeguards starring Dwayne Johnsonand Zac Efronwas preceded by an RNLI advert aimed at the young audience advising what to do if they got into difficulties in cold water.

And this is just what happened a short time later to Evan Chrisp , 16,from Gatesheadwhilst swimming off the Northumberland coast with friends and family.

He said: "I was jumping over waves with friends and got swept out to sea. I tried to fight the water and swim hard, but I quickly realised this wasn't working and I was in serious danger of drowning."

His dad Simon Chrisp looked on in horror as the drama unfold.

He said: "As a parent it was terrifying. It was like seeing 16 years of love, of potential, of memories in abject danger."

Simon dialled 999 and called for the Coastguard.

Meanwhile, a more unexpected saviour came to his son's aid.

Evan explained: "I knew what to do because a couple of weeks before we had gone to the cinema to watch Baywatch and the advert on before it was from the RNLI about what you do if you get caught in cold waters."

It described how people's instinctive reaction when caught in cold water is to swim hard. Instead, they should float to control their breathing which gives a much better chance of survival.

Evan said: "This helped me catch my breath and calm down before then trying to swim to safety.

Teenagers 'extremely lucky' after being sucked out to sea on scorching Saturday

"Despite my legs cramping badly thankfully I made it to a yacht. Ultimately I think the RNLI's advice to float saved my life."

The incident took place at Beadnell Bay in Northumberlandin June last year.

Coastal fatality figures released on Wednesday show 109 people lost their lives at UK coasts in 2017, 22 off the North coast. It's a figure that might have been higher.

Ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend and school half-term, the RNLI revealed that remembering to float helped...

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