RNLI issues safety warning in the South East ahead of the bank holiday weekend

The RNLI is reminding people to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags if you’re planning a visit to the coast over the bank holiday weekend. RNLI lifeguards will be patrolling around 240 beaches this summer to offer advice on how to stay safe and they are also there to help anyone who gets into trouble.  

For those who find themselves in trouble in the water, the charity is encouraging them to use the Float to Live technique to help ensure they stay safe. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Gareth Morrison, Head of Water Safety at the RNLI said: “The coast is likely to be very busy over the bank holiday weekend. We want everyone enjoy the beach and the water, but we also want to make sure people stay safe and know what to do in an emergency.

“Always visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags. If you get into trouble in the water, 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, once you are through the initial shock, call for help to or swim to safety if you can. In an emergency call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

When entering the water, it’s important to remember to acclimatise to avoid cold water shock. Enter slowly and allow time for your body to get used to the cold.

Recent research shows an alarming relationship between higher UK air temperatures and spikes in drowning. Two independent pieces of research, one by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK1) and another by Bournemouth University2 both conclude that significantly more people lose their lives to accidental drowning in the UK during periods of hot weather.

The data indicates when UK average maximum air temperatures reach or exceed 25°C, there is a fivefold increase in accidental drowning risk when compared to days with an average of 10°C. Analysis also shows three times as many accidental drowning fatalities occur on days when air temperatures reach 25°C or more, when compared to the seasonal average.

If you do get in trouble in the water, Float to Live: Tilt your head back with ears submerged 

· Relax and try to control your breathing 

· Use your hands to help you stay afloat 

· It's OK if your legs sink, we all float differently 

Visit RNLI.org/float2024 for more information.

A full list of RNLI lifeguarded beaches can be found here

Open water swimming advice can be found here.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please email Izzy Coley, RNLI Media Engagement Placement – South East Region on [email protected] or telephone RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

RNLI at 200

On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200^th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.

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, 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.