RNLI launches Float to Live campaign in the North East
The RNLI has launched its Float to Live campaign today (Tuesday 19 May) urging people to remember a single piece of advice which could save their life if they are struggling in the water.
The charity's Float to Live campaign is reminding people to use the simple technique if they get into trouble in the water, as the school holidays approach and people start heading to the coast. Sea temperatures remain extremely cold at this time of year, increasing the risk of cold-water shock, which is why knowing this technique could save your life.
The Float to Live technique saved the life of Euan and his brother last summer when he got into trouble in the water.
The two brothers, Euan, aged 22 and Andrew, aged 20, were at Longsands beach last summer enjoying the surf. Euan left the water to get a different surfboard and whilst he was out of the sea, he saw his brother being pulled towards a well-known rip current. He shouted for his brother to swim back but he couldn’t, so Euan ran in to help him.
Euan said: ‘It was easy to swim out to my brother but really hard to swim back against the rip. I had a word with my brother and said we need to swim hard or we’ll be in trouble. As we tried to swim, we just weren’t getting anywhere, it was like swimming on a treadmill.’
They ended up on different sides of the rip, which pulled them further away from each other until Euan could only see his brother every time a wave lifted them. Then after a while, it dragged them further apart until he couldn’t see Andrew anymore.
Euan said: ‘Ultimately, I feared I might drown. I feared that people hadn’t seen us in the water struggling and they hadn’t called the RNLI. As I got dragged away from Andrew, I feared the worst for him too.’
Luckily, Euan remembered the RNLI’s Float to Live technique and floated on his back whilst he waited for help to come. Whilst he was floating, he saw the Cullercoats Lifeboat approaching and felt immediate relief.
‘The moment I saw it come over the horizon was incredible. I was very aware that I probably wouldn't survive if help wasn't on the way. At that moment I knew I could float long enough for it to get over to me. As soon as you see that orange boat, you know you’re safe.’
Martyn Walsh from Cullercoats Lifeboat Station was part of the crew that rescued Euan that day.
Martyn said: ‘Euan was quite tired by the time we got to him and stuck in the rip current, trying to fight it. If he hadn’t employed the Float to Live technique, it could have been a very different outcome for Euan.
'We were extremely relieved when we got him on the boat. Knowing we were going to be taking him back to his family that day felt amazing.’
Once the crew rescued Euan, they let him know that his brother was also safe. Andrew had managed to get back to shore and was waiting for Euan at the station.
In 2024, there were 193 accidental drowning fatalities and 84% were male. Males aged 20 to 29 were the highest group for accidental drowning fatalities.[i]
Nick Ayers, Regional Water Safety Lead from the RNLI, says:
‘This story from Euan and Andrew highlights just how important the Float to Live technique truly is. Their story is now one of around 50 cases we are aware of where floating has helped people secure valuable extra time before being rescued, so we know this advice helps save lives. Instinctively, most people who find themselves struggling in the water will begin to panic, swim, or thrash about.
‘We’re urging people to ignore this instinct and remember to float: Tilt your head back, with your ears submerged. Relax and try to breathe normally. Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat if you need to. It’s fine if your legs sink – we all float differently. By doing this, you give yourself the chance to rest and recover your breathing. Once you’ve regained control of your breathing, you can call for help or swim to safety.
‘RNLI lifeboat crews and lifeguards save hundreds of lives at the coast each year but, sadly, there are still many lives lost in UK and Irish coastal waters each year. We’re urging people to remember, practise and share the float technique to help save more lives.’
The charity’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
For more information visit RNLI.org/Float.
Euan credits the Float to Live technique with saving his life and has now taken on the RNLI’s fundraising challenge, the May Day Mile to raise vital funds for the RNLI. https://linktr.ee/maydaymiles
RNLI Picture captions
Please credit RNLI/James Moffatt.
Notes to Editors
A video of Euan and Martyn and photos can be downloaded here: https://source.rnli.org.uk/share/59B82686-0D6A-4AA6-99A8540C406681DD/
Please follow this link to download digital assets relating to the campaign: https://rnli.org/safety/float/float-resources
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North and East, [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.