A still from the RNLI and GAA’s Float to Live film, showing a teenage boy floating in a dark sea. He has his arms outstretched and his head tilted back.

The Float to Live film: Lifesaving advice

Watch our Float to Live film. Credit: RNLI/Banjoman.

Friday 16 October 2026

Watch and share our Float to Live film – it could save a life.

Our film, made in collaboration with the GAA, shows a day in the life of a young man – hanging out with friends, playing football with his local club and going swimming. Until one evening, a solo dip sees him getting into difficulty in the water and struggling.

Remembering the RNLI’s Float to Live advice, he resists the instinct to panic, swim, or thrash about and instead stays calm, makes himself float and survives. It's a simple message but one that could save a life.

Watch the video – and please share it with your friends and family.

How to float

If you end up in difficulty in the water, follow these five steps to Float to Live.

1

Tilt your head back

submerging your ears.
2

Relax

and control your breathing.
3

Move your hands and legs

to help you stay afloat.
4

Your legs may sink - that's OK

everyone floats differently.
5

Find your float

by practising at a supervised location.

This advice has helped save the lives of more than 50 people in all sorts of situations. From children in rip currents to runners falling into canals, from people swept out by waves, to fisherman falling overboard.

Survivor stories

Meet the people who helped save themselves from danger by remembering to Float to Live.

READ SURVIVOR STORIES