As temperatures rise, please share our lifesaving advice
Sadly, with increases in air temperatures we see increases in accidental drowning. Find out how you can make a difference ahead of hot weather by sharing our Float to Live message.
In recent weeks, we have been faced with a sobering reminder of how quickly lives can be lost around water, with a number of tragic drownings reported during the spell of hot weather affecting much of the UK and Ireland in May. Our thoughts are with all the families, friends and communities affected.
These incidents underline why sharing our simple lifesaving advice is so important, particularly when warm weather draws more people to the coast, inland waterways and open water locations.
With warmer, sunnier weather forecast across parts of the UK and Ireland in the coming days – coinciding with an end of exam period for many students – we know increasing numbers of people will be heading to the water.
Why hot weather increases risk
When the weather is warm, more people enter the water. They might not understand the risks – including just how cold the water can be. Recent research has clearly demonstrated the link between rising air temperatures and an increase in accidental drownings, and sadly this was reflected during the last heatwave.
- The Royal Lifesaving Society has identified a correlation between periods of hot weather and increased drowning incidents.
- Research from Bournemouth University shows that when air temperatures reach 25°C or above, accidental drownings increase fivefold.
- Over half (57%) of those who drowned during these heatwave periods were swimming, rather than accidentally entering the water.
- Teenagers and young adults are disproportionately represented in these incidents.
‘It’s hot out there, but it’s cold in here’
The sea or open water may look inviting to people 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.
To help address this, we have developed targeted messaging specifically for heatwave conditions.
Our ‘It’s hot out there, but it’s cold in here’ message is designed to challenge assumptions about water temperature and raise awareness of the risks of cold water shock.
The campaign is activated when temperatures approach a ‘heatwave’ temperature threshold, and includes an increase in social media content, digital radio adverts and digital outdoor posters in key risk locations.
Please look out for this content and share it widely to help it reach more people.
Keep sharing Float to Live
As we saw in Euan’s story, knowing what to do when you get into difficulty in the water can make all the difference. More than 50 people have already told us that Floating to Live saved their life.
When someone gets into difficulty in the water, their instinct is often to panic and swim hard. Float to Live helps them regain control:
- Tilt your head back, submerging your ears.
- Relax and control your breathing.
- Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat.
- Your legs may sink – that’s OK. Everyone floats differently.
- Practise floating at a supervised location like a swimming pool.
If you see someone else in trouble in the water, remember Phone, Float, Throw:
- Phone 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard to get help.
- Tell the struggling person to Float to Live.
- Throw them something that floats, such as a life ring.
How you can help
With another period of warmer weather on the horizon, plus more likely this summer, every conversation and every share matters. You can support the campaign by:
- Downloading our Float to Live toolkit for ideas.
- Sharing Float to Live advice with your networks, especially young people. You can send them this link: RNLI.org/FloatSkill
- Sharing RNLI social posts like this carousel on Facebook, especially during hot weather.
- Promoting our heatwave messaging in your communities.
- Encouraging people to visit a lifeguarded beach.
Warm weather brings opportunity for enjoyment, but also increased risk. By working together to share our Float to Live advice, we can help to save more lives.
Thank you for everything you do to support this lifesaving work.
You are all lifesavers.
Ross MacLeod - Water Safety Team