New research commissioned by the RNLI has revealed that more than half (51%) of people in the South East would follow a potentially life-threatening instinct if they fell unexpectedly into water.
As the RNLI’s national drowning prevention campaign Respect the Water enters its fourth year, the charity is calling on the public to fight their instincts and remember the core survival action of floating, until the effects of cold water shock pass and they can catch their breath, before then trying to swim to safety or calling for help.
Sudden immersion in cold water puts these people at severe risk of suffering cold water shock, which triggers the instinctive but life-threatening reaction to gasp uncontrollably and swim hard, which can quickly lead to drowning.
Research shows more than half of people in the south east would follow this potentially life-threatening instinct if they fell into water, with 35% of respondents saying their immediate reaction would be to swim, while 2% said they would panic – 2 of the instinctive responses the RNLI is urging people to fight. Others said they would remove clothing (5%); do nothing (3%); hold their breath (1%), and 5% said they would not know what to do.
Overall, less than a quarter (23%) of respondents in the south east alluded to a recommended first course of action, with just 8% knowing specifically to float (4%) or tread water (4%). Others said they would stay calm (9%); look for something to hold on to (3%); relax (1%); lie on their back (1%) take deep breaths (1%) or catch their breath (1%).
Meanwhile, coastal fatality figures released today (Thursday) show 32 people lost their lives at the South East coast in 2016, with over a third (34%) of those being people who didn’t even intend to enter the water.
Mike Tipton, Professor of Human and Applied Physiology at the University of Portsmouth, explained:
“We often rely on our instincts but our instinctive response to sudden immersion in cold water – gasping, thrashing and swimming hard – is potentially a killer. It increases chances of water entering your lungs, increases the strain on your heart, cools the skin further and helps air escape from any clothing, which then reduces buoyancy.
Article continues below this advertisement “Although it’s counter-intuitive, the best immediate course of action in that situation is to fight your instinct and try to float or rest, just for a short time. The effects of cold water shock will pass quite quickly, within 60–90 seconds. Floating for this short time will let you regain control of your breathing and your survival chances will greatly increase.
“Floating is not an easy thing to do in cold open water but most people can float, and the air trapped in their clothes as they fall in should make it easier. As little exercise as necessary can be undertaken to help stay afloat. The recommended floating position is to lean back in the water and keep your airway clear. Keeping calm will help maintain buoyancy. Some people find it helpful to gently scull with their hands and kick their feet to keep afloat.
“The main principle is to do as little as possible until you have control of your breathing. At this point you have a much better chance of avoiding drowning and surviving until you can swim to safety, call for help, or continue to float until help arrives”.
Guy Addington, RNLI Community Safety Partner for the South East, said:
“The RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards saved hundreds of people from near-fatal incidents in 2016 and rescued thousands more but, sadly, they aren’t able to reach everyone. If people in danger in the water can help themselves initially by floating and regaining control of their breathing, they stand a much greater chance of surviving.
“Through our Respect the Water campaign, we want to start a national conversation about water safety. We’re asking the public to remember this lifesaving advice, share with others and practice the survival skill of floating – it could be the difference between life and death.
“For those who are planning to go into the water, the best way to stay safe is to choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags, which is the area most closely monitored by the lifeguards. And if you see someone else in danger in the water, fight your instinct to go in and try to rescue them yourself – instead call 999 and ask for the Coastguard”.
The campaign is targeted at adult men, who account for 79% of the coastal deaths in the South East over the past 5 years, and 84% of last year’s fatalities in the region, although the advice is relevant to anyone who goes near the water.
The Respect the Water campaign will run throughout the summer on channels including cinema, outdoor, radio, online, and on catch-up TV channels. The RNLI is asking people to visit www.rnli.org/RespectTheWater where they will find information on the effects of cold water shock and floating techniques.
