Meet the people who helped save their own life by floating to live - and share them with your friends and family.
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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.
This advice is useful to everyone, however you use the water. It has helped save the lives of more than 50 people in all sorts of situations. From children in rip currents to runners falling into canals, from people swept out by waves, to fisherman falling overboard.
The best way to float is to tilt your head back with your ears submerged. Try to relax and breathe normally. You can gently move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat if you need to. Spread your arms and legs out to improve stability – and it's OK if your legs sink, we all float differently. Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety. Practise floating in a supervised location like a swimming pool.
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 and legs
to help you stay afloat
-
4
It's OK if your legs sink
we all float differently
-
5
Practise floating
at a supervised location like a swimming pool
Float to Live saved my life
Meet the people who helped save themselves from danger by remembering to Float to Live.
Katie Laurie and Will Peckham
'I was running out of energy to tread water – I was racking my brain for ways not to die, then I remembered I’d seen a sign with the float to live advice.'
Ravi Saini
'I was getting pulled out to sea. I thought this was the end of my life!'
Aggie Kwiecien
'A calm voice in my head said: "OK, you've fallen into the canal. You know what to do, you mustn't panic."'
Evan Chrisp
'Two big waves just came over us. I was panicking, trying to fight the water and swim.'
Tina West
'I went for a paddle in the sunshine and when I went to put my feet down there was nothing there.'
Ruth Osborne
'I shouted and shouted, but nobody heard me. I just thought: "That's it, that's me gone."'
Float to Live resources
This Float to Live Toolkit could save lives. The only thing it needs is you. Download and share these resources.
Remember it. Share it.
Make sure your loved ones know what do if they get into difficulty too. Help them learn how to float.
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.
This Float to Live Toolkit could save lives. The only thing it needs is you. Download and share these resources.
Download resources