Wirral RNLI Lifeguards work with Brio Leisure for childrens lifesaving lessons
The RNLI’s Lifeguards on the Wirral have joined with Brio Leisure this week to deliver the RNLI’s Float To Live lifesaving techniques to children taking part in swimming lessons.
The charities Lifeguards have been heading around local schools over the last week, delivering ‘Meet the Lifeguard’ talks, which involves teaching youngsters how to stay safe on the beach, recognising the lifeguard flags and what they mean and how to call for help if they or someone gets into trouble.
Additionally to these talks, Brio Leisure Neston asked if the lifeguards could deliver a quick 10 minute presentation to the children after their swimming lesson. Each night this week the lifeguards have attended from 4pm to 6pm, delivering key safety messages to the children that consists of the usual school safety advice given during the schools talks as well as the FLOAT to live demonstration.
FLOAT to live is one of the RNLI’s key messages to those who are heading to anywhere on or near the water.
Ryan Jennings, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor for the Wirral said ‘If you find yourself in the water unexpectedly you will probably experience cold water shock, as even in the summer the water in and around the British Isles is still quite cold. Follow the FLOAT to live steps to give yourself the best chance, fight your instinct to thrash around, lean back, extend your arms and legs, if you need to, gently move them around to help you float, float until you can control your breathing and only then, call for help or swim to safety.
We’ve really enjoyed working with everyone at Brio Leisure Neston, it’s been a great opportunity to spread the message about how to keep safe whilst enjoying yourself in and around the water’.
Jeff Bowes, Brio Leisure
Aquatics Lead at Christleton & Neston Centres said 'All this week at Neston Recreation Centre the RNLI have been providing safety talks to the children on Swimming Lessons, teaching them what to look for when they are on the beach this summer with their parents, it is all about having fun and staying safe.
Mrs. Thomas, who brings two of her Grandchildren to swimming lessons at Neston told me that they had gone into school the next day to tell the other children about the colours of the flags and where they could swim safely'.
Jeff continued:
'Our children have enjoyed the experience of learning from the beach lifeguards and what to look for to swim safely this summer.
Neston's Rookie Lifeguard Children are coming in early to work with the RNLI Lifeguards before their lesson, John Watson, their Swimming Teacher told me that this is what the kids in his class aspire to, and the lifeguards are good role models for them to associate with, the RNLI Lifeguards are very passionate about getting the message out about having fun but being safe'.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.