RNLI shares vital lifesaving safety messaging on World Drowning Prevention Day
The RNLI is today (July 25) reminding families of the importance of staying safe around the coast as school children across the UK enjoy the start of their summer holidays.
- 10,826 incidents attended by lifeguards during the summer holidays last year
- Sisters who sadly lost their brother to drowning last July share their story
- World Drowning Prevention Day is an official UN day which takes place annually on July 25
New figures released On World Drowning Prevention Day by the charity show their lifeguards attended more than 10,000 incidents on beaches aiding 13,758 people from July 25 to September 2 last year*.
Two sisters – Megan and Brogan Griffiths – have shared the tragic story of their brother Haydn who sadly lost his life last July.
Megan said: ‘If it can happen to someone like Haydn it can happen to anyone.’
Haydn lost his life aged 23 whilst going for a swim in the Irish sea near Hoylake whilst on a first date.
He was into his fitness and was a strong swimmer having been a member of his local sailing club since he was six years old. He later held a power boat licence and worked on the safety and rescue boat for open water swimming.
Haydn was also selected to train on the GBR national sailing squad and his name appears on a competition trophy along with Ben Ainslie.
‘He was our gentle giant and had such a kind heart. We all miss him every day but as a family we are determined that we allow our tragedy to help others.
‘That is why we want to encourage everyone out there to stay safe – please listen to the RNLI and visit a lifeguarded beach. Only swim between the red and yellow flags and always tell someone where you are going and when you hope to be back.
‘Have these conversations with your family and friends – make sure they know the potential dangers and that they know it can happen to anyone.’
RNLI crews from Hoylake and New Brighton carried out an extensive search for Haydn but sadly he could not be saved, his body was found on July 24 – the day before World Drowning Prevention Day.
Megan added: ‘We are so grateful to the hardworking volunteer RNLI crews at New Brighton and Hoylake for searching for Haydn and giving him the best possible chance and for supporting our family since.’
Megan and Brogan have helped the RNLI through fundraising including raising more than £1,000 by carrying out the charity’s Mayday Mile initiative.
They have launched their own campaign ‘Stay safe for Haydn.’ The sisters also spoke in Westminster for a World Drowning Prevention Day event held in Parliament on July 11.
Connor Wray, an RNLI volunteer at New Brighton said: ‘I remember the tasking vividly as it was my first call out as an RNLI volunteer, the light was just fading and there was real sense of urgency, when you hear someone is in the water there is no time to spare.
‘We searched extensively that night alongside many other agencies. As time went on, you start to fear the worst and there was a sense of dread that we could be facing the outcome nobody wanted.
‘It does have an impact on the crew when you can’t return a loved one to a family, but this is nothing in comparison to the heartbreak Haydn’s family were facing. The strength and resilience they have shown in his memory is incredible. Meeting them today is so very humbling and the fact they are using Haydn’s memory to make a positive difference and prevent others suffering like they have really is a testament to their courage as a family.’
Today (July 25) marks the third World Drowning Prevention Day and the RNLI is reminding people how to stay safe while enjoying the beach.
The key summer safety advice to remember is:
- Visit a lifeguarded beach & swim between the red and yellow flags
- If you get into trouble Float to Live; tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing. Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then call for help or swim to safety if you can.
- Call 999 in an emergency and ask for the Coastguard
Gareth Morrison, head of water safety at the RNLI, said: ‘Heart-breaking stories like Haydn’s really drive home the message that the sea is unpredictable, and tragedy really can happen to anyone, even those with huge experience around the water like Haydn.
‘Now the weather is warming up we expect to see a big increase in visitors to UK coastlines and unfortunately this does mean there is likely to be an increase in the number of incidents in the sea.
‘Many of the incidents our lifeguards attend during the school holidays involve children and teenagers and we would urge everyone to be aware of the risks and know what to do in an emergency.
‘Our main advice is to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags. RNLI lifeguards will be patrolling around 245 beaches this summer to offer advice on how to stay safe and they are also there to help anyone who gets into trouble.
‘We want people to think about their own safety, take time to familiarise yourself with our advice and to share this with your friends and family.’
There were 226 deaths in the UK from accidental drownings in 2022, across inland and coastal locations. 41 of these were in July and 44 in August – more than twice the number than in any other month. Of the people who died 40 per cent had no intention of entering the water.*
World Drowning Prevention Day was established in 2021, following the adoption of a first-ever United Nations (UN) resolution on global drowning prevention
The RNLI played an important role in the adoption of the UN resolution, the first time drowning prevention had been acknowledged by the UN it its 75 year history, working closely with the governments of Ireland and Bangladesh who championed the resolution.
Notes to editors
* Lifeguard stats are from July 25-September 2
*Drownings stat is from the WAID Water Incident Database (WAID), maintained by the National Water Safety Forum. To view and download the WAID 2022 report visit: https://www.nationalwatersafety.org.uk/waid
*RNLI volunteers, crew and staff are marking World Drowning Prevention Day around the UK and Ireland, including water safety open days, Float to Live familiarisation sessions and other public awareness raising events. Chief Executive Mark Dowie will be representing the RNLI at a World Drowning Prevention Day roundtable at No 10 Downing Street on July 25. And the RNLI will be represented at a World Drowning Prevention Day event hosted by the Irish Government at the World Health Organization in Geneva.
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 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.