South west RNLI urge people to choose lifeguarded beaches and share advice
With Met Office weather warnings in force for extreme heat across much of the south west of England, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is urging people heading to the region’s coastline to visit RNLI l
As people look for ways to stay cool over the coming days, the charity is reminding the public that the safest place to swim is at a lifeguarded beach and to always swim between the red and yellow flags. RNLI lifeguards are also reminding visitors to plan their day around patrol hours.
Steve Instance, RNLI Regional Water Safety Lead said:
‘Lifeguarded beaches offer the highest level of safety, but it is vital people are aware that RNLI lifeguard patrols do not operate 24/7. At RNLI lifeguarded beaches, cover ends at 6pm, and after this time there is no immediate on-beach response if someone gets into difficulty. Remember, if there are no flags, there are no lifeguards.
‘If you’re planning an evening swim or staying late, we strongly encourage you to think carefully about the risks and avoid entering the water once RNLI lifeguards have finished patrol.
‘We know how attractive our coastline is during warm weather, but the safest choice is always a lifeguarded beach. Our lifeguards are there to spot dangers you might not be able to see and respond quickly if something goes wrong.’
The RNLI is also appealing to people to share its water safety advice with family and friends, particularly young people and teenagers, who accounted for the majority of drowning fatalities during the last heatwave.
Ross Macleod, RNLI Water Safety Manager, said:
‘With another hot week on the way, we are urging families across the south west to talk about the dangers of swimming and jumping into cold water with younger family members and friends.
The charity continues to highlight key risks such as cold water shock, which remains a danger even during hot weather.
Ross Macleod added:
‘Cold water shock is a real danger, which we particularly want people to be aware of. The sea or open water may look inviting during hot weather, but it remains cold enough year-round to trigger cold water shock, which can cause uncontrollable gasping, increased heart rate, and can lead to panic and drowning very quickly. It’s best to enter the water slowly to gradually acclimatise.
‘Anyone who finds themselves in danger in the water should fight the panic instinct and Float to Live – try to relax and float on their back, with head tilted back, gently moving their hands and legs to help them stay afloat. This buys valuable time to get your breathing back under control, before then calling for help or swimming to safety.’
By choosing lifeguarded beaches, being aware of patrol times, and sharing water safety advice, the RNLI hopes everyone can enjoy the south west coast safely this summer.
Notes to editors:
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RNLI lifeguard cover is available between 10am-6pm
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You can find your nearest lifeguarded beach here: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches
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Float to Live resources can be downloaded from this link: https://rnli.org/safety/float/float-resources?resultsPerPage=48#resultsperpage48
If you find yourself in trouble in the water, Float to Live:
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Tilt your head back with your ears submerged
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Relax and try to breathe normally
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Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat
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It’s OK if your legs sink, we all float differently
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Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety
If you see someone else in trouble, remember Phone, Float, Throw:
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Phone 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard
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Tell the person to Float to Live
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Throw something buoyant, such as a life ring
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Annabelle Spiers, RNLI Communications Placement at [email protected] or on 07521943895, or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead at [email protected] or on 07920818807
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.