RNLI launches Float to Live campaign ahead of Scottish school holidays

As schools in Scotland get set to break for seven weeks of summer holidays, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) launched its Float to Live campaign as it is revealed that 83% of the UK adult population (aged 16-64) expect to visit the coast this summer², and 40% expect to go three times or more.

There were 226 deaths in the UK from accidental drownings in 2022, across inland and coastal locations. Of the people who died 40 per cent had no intention of entering the water, such as those walking, with causes including slips, trips and falls, being cut off by the tide, or swept in by waves³.

Although beach leisure time has increased in the UK by nearly a third (28%) over the past three years⁴, 10%⁵ of people said the potential dangers associated with the water are something they don't think about often and 36%⁶ of people don’t know what to do if they get into trouble in the water.

The RNLI is reminding everyone to remember Float to Live if they find themselves in trouble in water: 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. 

Michael Avril, Water Safety Lead for the RNLI in Scotland said: ‘We are expecting the summer holidays to be incredibly busy at the coast in Scotland. We want everyone to enjoy being around the water but we also want to make sure people stay safe and know what to do in an emergency.

‘It is important that anyone visiting the coast understands the risks of the environment. We want to make sure people know what to do in an emergency at the coast, such as dialling 999 and asking for the Coastguard. 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 or swim to safety if you can.’

Research by the RNLI and University of Portsmouth’s Extreme Environments Laboratory (EEL)⁷ shows that floating is different for everyone, where some people naturally float with little movement, others require gentle use of their hands and legs to stay afloat. The technique has been tested in different open water environments, which shows that Float to Live is helpful both at the coast and in inland waters.

To Float to Live: If you find yourself in difficulty in the water: 

• 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.

Notes to Editors

• A demonstration of our Float technique will take place at Wild Shore Dundee at 2pm on Wednesday 26 June, with interviews available. Please RSVP in advance

Media contacts

For more information, please contact Martin Macnamara, RNLI Communications Lead for Scotland on 07920 365929 or [email protected].

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Communications Manager for Scotland, on 07826900639 or [email protected]

Tom McGuire, RNLI Communications Manager for Scotland, on 00 353 87 476 4436 or

[email protected].

Alternatively, please contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or [email protected].