RNLI issues safety reminder ahead of August bank holiday weekend

The RNLI is urging anyone heading to the coast to follow essential safety advice to keep them and their loved ones safe over the bank holiday weekend. Simple steps like visiting a lifeguarded beach and knowing what to do if someone finds themselves in trouble in the water could help save lives.

Nick Ayers, RNLI Water Safety Lead, says: ‘We want people and their families to enjoy the coastline this bank holiday, but to do so safely.

‘We recommend anyone visiting the coast heads to a lifeguarded beach and swims between the red and yellow flags.

‘Lifeguards are trained in casualty care and water rescue. They will be on hand to offer water safety advice to the public and provide information on sea conditions that day.

‘If you do find yourself in the water unexpectedly, Float to Live. Tilt your head back with ears submerged, relax and try to control your breathing, move your hands to help you stay afloat and once you are over the initial shock, call for help or swim to safety.’

The RNLI is aware of more than 50 people who have used the Float to Live advice to help themselves and it’s encouraging everyone to remember, practise and share the advice to save more lives.

The RNLI’s advice for anyone struggling in the water is ‘Float to Live’:

· Tilt your head back, with your ears submerged

· Relax and try to breathe normally

· Move your hands and feet to help you stay afloat

· It’s fine if your legs sink, we all float differently

· Practise floating in a local pool if you can

If you see someone else struggling in the water:

· Call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard

· Tell the person to relax and float on their back

· Throw something buoyant to help them stay afloat

For more information visit RNLI.org/Float.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok 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.