Donate now

RNLI reminds everyone to stay safe in the water on World Drowning Prevention Day

Lifeboats News Release

Embargo 01.00 25 July 2024 • Volunteer Teddington RNLI crew attended 95 incidents and saved two lives last year • World Drowning Prevention Day is an official UN global awareness day coordinated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) which takes place on the 25 July

RNLI crew in D Class

RNLI/Grace Palmieri

Saving lives on our rivers

Today (Thursday 25 July 2024) marks World Drowning Prevention Day and the RNLI is reminding everyone in the South East heading to the coast to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags. In addition, it warns against entering perilous rivers and inland waters. The charity is sharing its lifesaving safety advice as school children across the country enjoy the start of the summer holidays, with the coast predicted to be incredibly busy.

Figures released by the RNLI show that 83% of the UK adult population (aged 16-64) expect to visit the coast this summer, and 40% expect to go three times or more[1].

Figures from the RNLI reveal that Teddington RNLI volunteer crew attended 95 incidents and saved two lives on the Thames last year. 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. Teddington Water Safety experts will also be visiting fairs and fetes throughout the summer.

236 people accidentally died in water related fatalities in 2023, ten more than in 2022 but in line with the five-year average. Of the 236 accidental fatalities in the UK in 2023; 20 occurred in July and 21 in August, reinforcing how important it is to stay safe at the coast over the summer.[2]

On July 25th Teddington RNLI safety advisors and volunteer crew will join the London Fire Brigade and other emergency services in front of Hampton Court Palace from midday. They will demonstrate how to use throwlines, the importance of floating to live and other lifesaving advice.

Miranda Jaggers, Teddington RNLI Head of Water Safety said: “On World Drowning Prevention Day we want to remind everyone that visiting a lifeguarded beach and swimming between the red and yellow flags can make a lifesaving difference. We know the coast is going to be incredibly busy over the summer holidays and we want everyone to enjoy their time but to also remember our vital safety advice.

“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 call for help or swim to safety if you can. It's OK if your legs sink, we all float differently. In a coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

-ends-

A full list of RNLI lifeguarded beaches can be found here

Visit RNLI.org/float2024 for more information.

Media contacts:

For further information contact Gianna Saccomani, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07798905515 or [email protected] or Grace Palmieri, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07855487508 or [email protected] or the RNLI press office on 01202 336789 / [email protected].

RNLI online

For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.

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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 more than 146,000 lives.

[1] Basis Research RNLI water safety Pre campaign survey 2024. Based on the UK population mid-2022 - 67,596,281 people (https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/bulletins/annualmidyearpopulationestimates/mid2022

[2] WAID data: https://www.nationalwatersafety.org.uk/waid/annual-reports-and-data


Man floating according to Float to Live

RNLI/Grace Palmieri

Float to Live

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.