RNLI to Launch ‘Float to Live’ Campaign During National Water Safety Awareness Week

15th June 2024

A demonstration at the Forty Foot will show a person in plain clothing accidentally entering the water before using the Float to Live skill to survive

To mark National Water Safety Awareness Week in Ireland, this Tuesday (18 June) the RNLI will launch its Float to Live campaign at the Forty Foot swimming spot in Sandycove with a demonstration on how to carry out the technique that could prove lifesaving for anyone who finds themselves in difficulty in the water this summer.

The demonstration will show a person in plain clothing accidentally entering the water before using the Float to Live skill to survive.

Members of the RNLI’s water safety team, with representatives from Dun Laoghaire RNLI, will be on hand to explain the Float to Live technique and the importance of having proper water safety advice and equipment when visiting the coast or inland waters during the summer.

Linda-Gene Byrne, RNLI water safety lead said: “We are approaching the summer holidays which we expect to be incredibly busy at the coast and across open water. 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.

“It is important that anyone visiting open water understands the risks which can be present. We want to make sure people know what to do in an emergency.

“If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live: 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 to or swim to safety if you can.”

Research by the RNLI and University of Portsmouth’s Extreme Environments Laboratory shows that floating is different for everyone, where some people naturally float with little movement, others require gentle use of their hands and legs to stay afloat.

The technique has been tested in different open water environments, which shows that Float to Live is helpful both at the coast and in inland waters.

If you find yourself in difficulty in the water, Float to Live:

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

Published in Water Safety, RNLI Lifeboats, Forty Foot Swimming

Published in Water Safety

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