Float To Live advice saves walker in Hoylake RNLI rescue

The alarm was raised when the casualty found himself cut off from reaching the shore by the flooding tide near Leasowe Lighthouse. Concerned family members had gathered on the sea wall and were met by the Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team, who could see only the light from the casualty’s phone in the darkness.

Hoylake RNLI hovercraft Hurley Spirit was requested to launch by HM Coastguard at 11:17pm alongside New Brighton RNLI’s inshore lifeboat. The volunteer crews headed to the scene in challenging conditions with poor visibility and a strong breeze.

With the tide still flooding and the lifeboats en route, HM Coastguard operators at the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Holyhead were speaking with the casualty by phone and advised him to use the Float to Live technique as the water was rising around him.

Hoylake RNLI hovercraft soon located the casualty floating on his back around 200m offshore, with searchlight and radio support from the Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team.

The RNLI crew swiftly extracted the casualty from the water before carrying out a welfare assessment and providing reassurance. He was fatigued and feeling the effects of the cold, so the hovercraft quickly transported him to the shore, where he was passed to Coastguard officers and paramedics from the North West Ambulance Service for further assessment and transfer to hospital.

Paul Sherratt, Hoylake RNLI volunteer hovercraft commander, said:

‘Float to Live saved the casualty’s life. By staying calm when he found himself in the water, leaning back, moving his hands and legs, and controlling his breathing, he stayed afloat and our crew were able to bring him on board to safety despite the poor conditions.’

‘This rescue shows just how closely we work with our HM Coastguard colleagues to save lives at sea. By working together throughout this time-critical incident, the casualty and his family had fantastic support and happily could be reunited on the shore. Our thanks to the Coastguard for their assistance and professionalism.’

If you are heading out to the coast, always check tide times, weather forecasts and local safety signage. Carry a means of calling for help with a fully-charged battery and if you or someone else gets into difficulty, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Notes to editors

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 water:

• Phone 999 to get help
• Tell them to stay calm and float on their back
• Throw rescue equipment to help them float until emergency services arrive

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Dan Whiteley, Hoylake RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 07799 851 316 or [email protected]

Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Wales, West of England and Isle of Man, 07977 728 315, [email protected]

Danielle Rush, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Wales, West of England and Isle of Man, 07786 668829, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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.

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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.