Just over half (55%) ended up in the water unexpectedly – many of them walkers and runners who slipped, tripped and fell in.
With Respect the Water back for its sixth year, we’re sharing our advice to float if you find yourselves in trouble in cold water.
There are five steps to floating:
- Fight your instinct to swim hard or thrash about.
- Lean back, extend your arms and legs.
- If you need to, gently move your arms and legs to help you float.
- Float until you can control your breathing.
- Call for help or swim to safety.
The RNLI recommends all water users practice: “Floating is easier than you think, even if you aren’t a strong swimmer. And practising in a swimming pool for up to 90 seconds (the duration it takes for cold water shock to pass) could be your lifesaver in open water,” the institution says.
The RNLI has gathered some life stories to highlight how the technique can save lives. Teenager Evan Chrisp survived a rip current last year. Evan’s dad was on the beach watching Evan and his friends having fun jumping over waves when a strong rip current (sometimes referred to as a ‘rip tide’) pulled Evan out to sea. Realising he couldn’t get out, Evan’s dad made an emergency call and asked the Coastguard for assistance. Thankfully, Evan had seen the Float to Live video and knew what he had to do: stay calm and stay afloat.
Other survivor stories can be seen: HERE