We’re supporting our colleagues in RNLI this week as they launch their #floattolive campaign
Around 150 people die in British and Irish coastal waters each year. Half never intended to get wet. If you’re in trouble in cold water, fight your instinct to swim hard and Float To Live.
Everyone who falls into cold water unexpectedly has the same instinct: to swim hard, to fight the cold water. But if you float until the cold water shock has passed you’ll have a far better chance of surviving.
Cold water shock makes you gasp uncontrollably. If you fall into cold water unexpectedly, float until the cold water shock has passed.
Being able to swim doesn’t necessarily mean you’re safe in the water. If you don’t know how to survive cold water shock, it can kill you.
Cold water shock doesn’t care how good a swimmer you are. If you don’t know to survive it, it can kill you.
The average temperature of British and Irish coastal waters is 12–15°C. That’s cold enough to cause cold water shock. If you’re in trouble in cold water, fight your instinct to swim hard and Float To Live.
If you see someone in danger at the coast, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. Look for something that floats and throw it out to them. Help them stay calm and encourage them to float #floattolive
