Coastguard Ian saves three lives in a month (From The Argus)

Coastguard Ian saves three lives in a month

4:30pm Saturday 25th June 2011 in News

Is this the bravest man in Sussex?

Ian Deakin has saved three lives in the past month after jumping into cold water three times.

But the 25-year-old electrician, who lives with his mother Angie and father Laurence, remains modest about his achievements.

He said: “It isn’t just me – it is everybody who helps.”

Former Tideway School pupil Mr Deakin works as a volunteer coastguard rescue officer based in Newhaven.

As soon as his pager beeps – be at 4am or 4pm – he is off.

He has become so used to leaping into the deep in chilly temperatures he has got his own specially-bought drysuit.

Earlier this month he rescued a 17-year-old who was unconscious after jumping off a 15ft groyne at Splash Point in Seaford.

The teenager had no pulse when Mr Deakin dragged him from the sea.

He swallowed so much water during this rescue he had to be taken to hospital.

During the end of May he jumped into Newhaven Harbour after a man fell into water and was suffering from hypothermia and was close to unconsciousness.

Mr Deakin held him afloat and then dragged him to a lifeboat.

He also jumped from a lifeboat into water close to Newhaven’s swing bridge after a suicidal woman leapt in.

The woman was slipping in and out of consciousness.

Mr Deakin, who lives in Newhaven, said: “When the pager beeps you never know what it’s going to be. It could be a boat that needs towing in or a more serious incident.

“But the reason you do it is to save lives and because of the more serious incidents.

“During the Seaford incident I was full of adrenalin but afterwards I felt helpless.

“It is not just me though. It is the other coastguards, the police, the paramedics - everyone. We all help each other.”