Meet the people who helped save their own life by floating to live - and share them with your friends and family.
Read more survivor stories
Float to Live
Would you know what to do if you got into difficulty in the water? Float by following these five simple steps – it could save your life.
If you found yourself struggling in the water unexpectedly, your instinct would tell you to swim hard. But cold water shock could make you gasp uncontrollably. Then you could breathe in water and drown. Instead, you should Float to Live.
How to float
5 steps to know how to float
However you end up in the water, if you end up in difficulty, Float to Live.
-
1
Tilt your head back
with ears submerged
-
2
Relax
and try to breathe normally
-
3
Move your hands
to help you stay afloat
-
4
It's OK if your legs sink
we all float differently
-
5
Spread your arms and legs
to improve stability
What is cold water shock?
When in cold water (anything below 15°C), your body can go into cold water shock. If this happens, you lose control of your breathing and movement. Cold water shock also causes your heart rate and blood pressure to quickly increase, which can lead to cardiac arrest.
The average sea temperature around the UK and Ireland is just 12°C. Inland waters like lakes, rivers, lochs and reservoirs can be colder - even in the summer.
Remember, if you find yourself in difficulty in the water, Float to Live.
Rip currents
Rip currents are powerful currents that run out to sea. They can quickly drag you away from the shore and into deep water.
They can be difficult to spot, and it’s easy to get caught out by them. The best way to avoid rip currents is to choose a lifeguarded beach and always swim between the red and yellow flags. You can always ask RNLI lifeguards for advice.
Tina's story
Knowing how to float could save your life in an emergency. That’s something Tina knows all too well. On a late September day in Cornwall, Tina went out for a shallow paddle in the sea – but as she tried to put her foot down, she couldn’t touch the bottom. Tina had been caught in a rip current and was quickly being dragged out to sea. Thankfully, she remembered to float.
‘I remembered seeing the Float to Live campaign on the big screens near my work in Portsmouth. The technique allowed me to relax a bit, and float over the waves until the lifeguards came’ - Tina
This Float to Live Toolkit could save lives. The only thing it needs is you. Download and share these resources.
Download resources
In a coastal emergency, call 999 if you’re in the UK or 112 if you’re in Ireland and ask for the coastguard.
How to call for help
From surfing to angling, here you can find our safety advice for whichever activity you enjoy doing at the coast.
See our top tips
Before you head to the beach, see our latest tips for how you, your friends and your family can have a fun and safe time.
Stay safe
With changing tides, strong rip currents and powerful waves, the coast can be dangerous. Understand the common risks and how to minimise them.
The risk factors