RNLI reveals that 40% of people in North West would not know to float

With the weather due to warm up ahead of the bank holiday weekend, the RNLI has revealed results from a survey that showed 22% of people in the North West said following safety rules would spoil their enjoyment of open water.

Today’s Float to Live campaign launch ahead of a spell of warm weather predicted over the weekend, with families likely to flock to the coast. The RNLI is reminding people to practice this lifesaving technique and know what to do in an emergency.

Earlier this year, rescuers in the North West searched for around two hours for a casualty who was found floating and swimming by the New Brighton RNLI lifeboat. Thanks to her calling 999, HM Coastguard was made aware and with help on the way, she was given the float to live advice. Thanks to the combined efforts of the call handler at Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service offering advice to the casualty and HM Coastguard during the incident in March, she was able to stay afloat until help arrived.

New Brighton RNLI lifeboat crew, search and rescue assets from Southport Offshore Rescue Trust, HM Coastguard helicopter Rescue 336, as well as shoreside Coastguard Rescue Teams, all took part in a co-ordinated search effort to locate the casualty. After almost an hour of searching, she was located approximately half a mile offshore.

It is estimated that 48.97M people will be heading to the coast or open water at least once over the summer. In the North West, 84% of people surveyed said they would visit the coast at least once between now and September, with 37% saying they would visit three times or more.

Statistics show almost a quarter of people in the North West (21%) said they would stand close to the edge of open water if it was worth it for a good photo. Although people from the North West said they might take risks at the coast, 40% of people wouldn’t know to float if they got into trouble in the water.

Chris Cousens, RNLI Water Safety Lead for the RNLI says:

‘These figures clearly tell us that whilst people in the North West are open to taking risks at the coast, they wouldn’t know what to do if they get into trouble in the water. This casualty did exactly the right thing by calling 999 and was given float to live advice to keep herself afloat until help arrived. We are immensely relieved that this was a favourable outcome.

‘The weather is heating up from this weekend and we know that there will be a huge amount of people visiting the coast over the coming months. We want everyone to remember our Float to Live advice. 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.’

Notes to Editors:

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.

RNLI Media Contacts

Media Contacts

For more information please contact Danielle Rush, RNLI Communications Lead in Wales, the North West and Isle of Man on 07786 668829 or email [email protected] or RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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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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