The call was received by Dart RNLI from the Coastguard at 19.22 “man in the water for 15 minutes”.

In Higher Broad Park, Chris Rampling, Dart RNLI Lifeboat crew and Lifeguard Supervisor, was about to eat his dinner; “that can wait”, he thought. He ran to his car and drove down College Way to Dart RNLI Lifeboat Station. Waiting for him were Crispin Grabner and his dog. Crispin, who has been crew for a year, was walking his dog nearby when the shout came through. Without his keys, he needed Chris to open up. Chris, who has been with Dart RNLI for 10 years, arrived minutes after Crispin.

In short order, Dart RNLI helmsman, Dave (Buster) Hart arrived. Named after his uncle Buster and not because of his job with Gilpin Demolition, Buster arrived by car. His normal mode of transport was a push bike from his home nearby at Britannia Avenue. No doubt the car slowed him down, as, it is alleged, his record speed down College Way might be over the limit.

Meanwhile, Simon Burton, 57, is in the water and can’t feel his legs or arms. His son Finn, 11, takes up the story: “We were out on our boat. It’s an inflatable. It was late afternoon, about 5pm, and my mum, dad and my dog, Dave, took a trip out beyond Dartmouth Castle.

“We all had our life jackets on including our whippet Dave. The jackets automatically inflate when in contact with the water and Dad makes us put them on in the car park. No waiting until we’re on the boat or anything”.

“We came back to Blackness Marine. I was tying on, doing a figure of eight on the cleat and Dad wanted to show me how to do another knot. As he was doing the knot, the boat was dragged away by the wind. He fell in.”

Simon Burton immediately knew he was in trouble. He told his wife to call 999 and ask for the coastguard. He told Finn to get help. Finn continued: “I ran for a quarter of a mile to the top of the hill and found a man in the field who worked for the boatyard. He quickly took me back in his car and from the pontoon, tried to pull dad out. He couldn’t manage it.”

“Then another boat owner turned up and between the two of them they got dad out. Within 5 minutes, the RNLI crew arrived, put dad into a thermal suit [neoprene] and helmet. They were trying to get him warm and were worried enough that they were preparing to launch a flare for the air ambulance just before he started to respond to treatment.”

Simon Burton, told of what it was like to suffer cold water shock: “I sensed how cold it was and it does take your breath away. My immediate reaction was, “how stupid”. I was wearing an auto inflate life jacket but the sensor didn’t make contact with the water and so I pulled the toggle.

“At first I thought I’ll climb out. You realise however, it is impossible to climb out onto a pontoon without a ladder. I’d been on the RYA course that day and remembered: “Do not attempt to swim, you are in a tidal river with currents, not a swimming pool”. There was no-one else around, so I told my wife to call 999 and ask for the coastguard.

“If I hadn’t done the RYA course that very day, I would have thought it was an over reaction but I knew to call right away. My left hand had pins and needles within four minutes and my legs and arms were numb within 10 minutes.

“From the RYA training, I knew what was happening; my blood was flowing to my vital organs and my arms and legs were becoming useless. I did start to panic after ten minutes.”

Simon and Finn told their story at Dart RNLI last week, to raise the awareness of the dangers of falling into cold water. Average water temperature around the UK is 12c. Cold Water Shock can occur quickly at temperatures under 15c. As blood flow is restricted by the body to vital organs, rapid breathing, loss of the use of limbs can occur and make saving yourself or indeed some else impossible. The RNLI recommends you remember the following whenever going out onto the water:

Always wear an appropriate lifejacket or buoyancy aid.

Always have a means of calling and signalling for help.

If you see someone struggling in the water, phone 999 and ask for the coastguard.

Should you fall into the water unexpectedly float on your back in order to regulate your breathing before calling for help or swimming to shore if it is safe to do so.

Ensure there is an emergency action plan in place and everybody has an appropriate onboard briefing

Undertake the appropriate level of training for your craft.

Always check the weather and tide times.

Make sure someone ashore knows where you are going and who to call if you don’t return on time.

Always drive your boat at a speed that is appropriate to the weather conditions and to the environment you are operating within.

The safety presentation ended with Simon Burton presenting a cheque to Dart RNLI. Simon Burton said: “You know, I was so relieved to see the RNLI crew arrive because I knew was in safe hands.”