Eleven-year-old saved by RNLI Float to Live advice returns to lifeboat station

Billie and her grateful mum Kate returned to Mudeford RNLI to meet volunteer helm Andy Read following Billie’s rescue on Avon beach on Thursday 19 September.

Billie had been on the beach with Kate’s friend and her son. They were paddling ankle deep in the water when suddenly they got swept out into deep water.

Andy happened to be on the beach with his family and watched the emergency unfold.

He, along with another person on the beach, immediately swam out to Billie and her friend and was able to get them safely back to shore.

Andy said: ‘Billie did exactly the right thing – they were floating to live and calling for help when I reached them and that undoubtedly bought them those extra few minutes before I was able to reach them.

‘They should be really proud of their actions, and this just brings home the importance of the lifesaving technique and why we try to reach as many people as possible with our messaging.’

Although Andy is trained in emergency rescue and knew the area well, the RNLI would encourage anyone who sees someone in danger to stay on the shore and dial 999 to ask for the Coastguard.

Billie, from Christchurch, has some learning difficulties which can impact her memory, she relies on her trainee support dog Frankie – however she had heard the Float to Live advice through her swimming lessons and incredibly could recall it during those crucial moments.

Billie said: ‘The beach is one of my favourite places – and I also love swimming.

‘I heard the Float to Live advice in my swimming lessons. It just came to me in that moment. I was scared but I felt like I knew what to do, and I made a starfish on my back.’

Kate said: ‘I knew I had to find Andy to thank him for rescuing the children – he is a real hero.

‘After I put up a Facebook post, someone from the lifeboat station came forward and said they knew it was him as he’d been spotted walking home in his wet clothes.

‘He'd literally left his family, who he was with on the beach walking. He wasn't working – he just jumped in fully clothed.

‘We are so grateful to him and the whole RNLI for everything they do to try to keep us safe.

‘We’d really encourage anyone planning to go to the beach to familiarise themselves with the Float to Live advice and to share it with their friends and family.’

Kate has since set up a Just Giving page to support the RNLI.

Gabbi Batchelor, Water Safety Manager at the RNLI said: ‘This incredible story shows us just how important Float to Live safety advice is, the technique really does save lives. The fact that Billie was able to remain calm and float on her back when she was in trouble in the water is amazing and helped save her life.

‘We’re expecting the coast to be really busy over the half term holidays. Although it’s a bit cooler now and you might not be intending to go in the sea, it’s still vital you remember the Float to Live advice as 37% of accidental drowning deaths happened to those that didn’t intend to go in the water last year.

‘If you do get into trouble in the water, remember: 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.’

RNLI Float to live advice:

-Tilt your head back with ears submerged

-Relax and try to control your breathing

-Move your hands to help you stay afloat

-Once you are over the initial shock, call for help or swim to safety

-In an emergency call 999 or 112– if you are at sea or on the beach ask for the coastguard, or if inland ask for the Fire and Rescue Service.

· Further information on Float to Live here https://rnli.org/safety/float

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.

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