With red and amber weather warnings in place for extreme heat across much of the UK, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is urging people heading to the coast to remember and share essential water safety advice, which could save lives.
With the current heatwave, more young people are likely to be heading to water to cool off—and this brings a sharp increase in risk of drowning incidents.
While the air temperature is very warm, water temperatures are still cold, so cold water shock remains a very real risk.
As air temperatures exceed 30C, the RNLI is sharing lifesaving advice, including what to do if you find yourself in danger in the water; what to do if you see someone else is struggling; awareness of key risks like cold water shock, and the best ways to stay safe – such as by choosing a lifeguarded beach.
The lifesaving charity is appealing to people to share its safety advice with family and friends, particularly young people and teens, who accounted for the majority of the drowning fatalities during the last heatwave.
Ross Macleod, RNLI Water Safety Manager, said: ‘As the exceedingly hot weather continues, we are urging families to talk about the dangers of swimming and jumping into open water – this could be a conversation that saves lives.
‘Cold water shock is a real danger, which we particularly want people to be aware of. The sea or open water may look inviting 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. It’s best to enter the water slowly to gradually acclimatise.
‘Anyone who finds themselves in danger in the water should fight the panic instinct and Float to Live – try to relax and float on their back, with head tilted back, gently moving their hands and legs to help them stay afloat. This buys valuable time to get your breathing back under control, before then calling for help or swimming to safety.
‘If you see someone else in danger – do not enter the water yourself as you could also end up in serious difficulty. Instead, remember phone, float, throw – phone 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard; tell the struggling person to float; throw them something buoyant, like a life ring.
‘If you are visiting the coast this weekend, the safest option is a lifeguarded beach, where you should swim between the red and yellow flags. If you can’t choose a lifeguarded beach, find out about your chosen beach before you visit – check weather and tide times and read local safety signage.
‘By remembering this advice and sharing it widely, we can all play a role in helping to save more lives from drowning.’
If you find yourself in trouble in the water, the RNLI’s safety advice is Float to Live:
- Tilt your head back with your ears submerged
- Relax and try to breathe normally
- Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat
- It’s OK if your legs sink, we all float differently
- Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety.
If you see someone else in trouble at the coast, 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.
The RNLI recommends checking online to Find Your Nearest Lifeguarded Beach.
This year, the RNLI’s lifeguard service is celebrating 25 years of keeping beaches safer.
To stay safe during this spell of hot weather, the RNLI is encouraging people to:
- Check the weather and tide times before setting off for the coast.
- Choose a lifeguarded beach where possible.
- Swim between the red and yellow flags.
- If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live.
- If you see someone else in trouble in the water, remember Phone, Float, Throw.
