The RNLI has this week launched its Float to Live campaign ahead of the busy half-term holidays as it is revealed that 83% of the UK adult population (aged 16-64) expect to visit the coast this Summer. Although beach leisure time has increased in the UK by nearly a third (28%) over the past 3 years, 10% of people said the potential dangers associated with the water are something they don’t think about often and 36% of people don’t know what to do if they get into trouble in the water. The RNLI is reminding everyone to remember Float to Live if they find themselves in trouble in water: tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing. Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then, once you are through the initial shock, call for help or swim to safety if you can. Vicki Linton-Crook, RNLI Water Safety Officer, says:
“We are expecting the half-term holiday to be incredibly busy at our beautiful coast across the South East and across all open water in the UK. We want everyone to enjoy being around the water but we also want to make sure people stay safe and know what to do in an emergency. “If you see anyone in difficulty in the water, call 999 and ask for the coastguard!”
Float to Live: If you find yourself in difficulty in the water:
- Tilt your head back with ears submerged
- Relax and try to control your breathing
- Use your hands to help you stay afloat
- It’s OK if your legs sink, we all float differently
There were 226 deaths in the UK from accidental drownings in 2022, across inland and coastal locations. Of the people who died 40% had no intention of entering the water, such as those walking, with causes including slips, trips and falls, being cut off by the tide, or swept in by waves.
I am flummoxed why the RNLI have left the most important safety part out of the announcement ~ when you are in an inflatable vessel do not deliberately slash it with a knife.
Common sense, but 87% of their call outs are for this reason so there must be some really dumb people out there.
Let’s hope the indigenous doesn’t suffer as they race to bring more illegal flotsam to our country to remain and breed us into the poverty overcrowding and crime which follows them to every country they inflict themselves upon. Hardly coincidence. Think
All PR exercise, as they are frit that they are getting, quite rightly, less public support for bringing illegal, unchecked and unwanted beings to our shores each day.
But having fun days, and giving safety information is a little ironic, when they are bringing in people who will drain the people of wealth, a home for their children, and longer waits for health care, let alone make our streets more unsafe, especially for the females here.
So imo, give nothing to this traitors to our nation. For each life they save, someone will likely die at the hands, car, gun, or knives of those they inflict upon our society.
Take them back to France IF you are duty bound to ‘save’ all lives.
I am continuously disgusted at the level of NO compassion and racism on this Island. I think none of you have ever travelled to war zones and countries in poverty. You should all go there and have your selfish brains re-wired. Think yourselves extremely lucky you happed to be born in a wealthy country, where the latest gadgets are more important that lives.
Well said Ms Hardy. Totally agree with you.