Rescuers take to the water to highlight Float to Live technique
More than 40 representatives from different organisations created a circle of life in the North Sea at Cullercoats Bay, North Tyneside, to demonstrate how people can avoid drowning if they get into difficulties.
The Float to Live technique is championed by the RNLI and others and it advises:
– Tilt your head back (submerging your ears)
– Relax (and control your breathing)
– Move your hands and legs (to help you afloat)
– Your legs may sink – that is okay (everyone floats differently)
– Practise floating (at a supervised location like a swimming pool)
Steve Thomas, head of prevention and education at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: 'With the school summer holidays under way and continued warm weather, we know more people will be heading to the coast, rivers, and lakes to cool off and enjoy the water.
'Whether it's a day at the beach or a family break involving water-based activities, it's vital that everyone understands the risks.
'As a fire and rescue service, we're urging the public to be water aware.
'What starts as fun can quickly turn dangerous without the right knowledge.
'The Float to Live campaign provides simple, life-saving advice that can make all the difference in an emergency.'
Nick Ayers, RNLI regional water safety lead, said: 'The Circle of Life event at Cullercoats Bay was a powerful visual reminder of the importance of water safety and partnership working.
'Seeing over 40 individuals coming together to promote floating shows just how committed we all are to reducing drowning.
'Float to Live is a simple but effective technique that gives people the best chance of surviving if they get into trouble in the water.
'When panic sets in, floating helps you to regain control, catch your breath and stay calm until help arrives or you can self-rescue.'
Jo Talbot, a director at the Royal Life Saving Society UK, said: 'A disproportionate number of people drown in the UK between May and August, and we see an increased number of drownings in periods of extreme heat.
'With the warmer weather and summer school holidays beginning, it is vital that everybody is aware of how to stay water smart and safe this summer.
'World Drowning Prevention Day serves as an important reminder to everyone to equip themselves with the tools and knowledge to stay safe around water.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
11 hours ago
- BBC News
Life-saving training being offered at Jersey beach
Free training to learn life-saving skills is being offered for free in Jersey. NAPA Medical said people could attend its Seaside Resus event at St Ouen's Bay on Saturday where they can learn how to perform team will be on the beach front of the RNLI hut at Le Port from midday until 16:00 Judge from NAPA Medical said the training was family-friendly, free and would include hands-on demonstrations of CPR. He said: "There is a huge gap discrepancy in CPR training... it should be free, it should be enjoyable and fun."We are taking it to the beach because Jersey is surrounded by water and families will be taking children to the beach in the summer."It's going to be good weather, come down, get a tan and learn how to save a life."He said studies showed the amount of chest compressions people should be doing was between 100 and 120 beats per minute."For the younger people, Sabrina Carpenter's Taste sits at 107 and Pink Pony Club which I sing is right in the middle as well," he said.
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
World Drowning Prevention Day: How just floating can save lives
Over 40 people floated together off the coast of North Tyneside, England this week to bring attention to the Float to Live is a technique that can help prevent serious injuries or drowning in the group gathered ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day on July what is World Drowning Prevention Day? And why can floating in water help save the lives of even inexperienced swimmers?Find out here. What is World Drowning Prevention Day? The day was declared by the United Nations in 2021 to bring attention to the importance of water can happen if a swimmer is inexperienced or if they make unsafe accidents also happen in outdoor swimming locations like beaches, rivers and lakes.A number of organisations including safety charities the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) say one of the best ways to prevent accidents in the water is the Float to Live technique. Float to Live: What do you need to do? The Float to Live technique was developed with the University of Portsmouth and the say if you are in a situation where you feel unsafe in the water, you can use the following steps to float and wait for help:Tilt your head back - your ears should be underwater, but your nose and mouth above water to allow you to breatheRelax - Try and control your breathingGentle movements - Move your arms and legs gently to stay afloatLegs - Your legs might sink lower than your torso in the water but that's ok, everyone floats differentlyThe RNLI also recommends practicing floating in local pools with supervision from an experienced trusted adult like a lifeguard. Top tips for being safe around water In the summer, lots of us love a dip in the local pool or at the beach to cool there are some important things you should know if you want to stay safe in the spoke to some water safety experts to get their advice on what you can do to keep yourself and others safe. What is cold water shock? Many swimmers are often shocked at the temperature of water, even in warm summer to research from the University of Portsmouth, the average temperature of UK and Irish waters is 12⁰C. While this might not sound very low, the RNLI say any water temperature below 15⁰C is considered inland bodies of water like lakes and rivers can often be colder than the water can cause swimmers to panic, which is why staying calm and floating on the water can help keep you safe.
Powys County Times
a day ago
- Powys County Times
Rescuers take to the water to highlight Float to Live technique
Rescue and emergency service groups took to the water to remind people of the Float to Live technique ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day. More than 40 representatives from different organisations created a circle of life in the North Sea at Cullercoats Bay, North Tyneside, to demonstrate how people can avoid drowning if they get into difficulties. The Float to Live technique is championed by the RNLI and others and it advises: – Tilt your head back (submerging your ears) – Relax (and control your breathing) – Move your hands and legs (to help you afloat) – Your legs may sink – that is okay (everyone floats differently) – Practise floating (at a supervised location like a swimming pool) Steve Thomas, head of prevention and education at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: 'With the school summer holidays under way and continued warm weather, we know more people will be heading to the coast, rivers, and lakes to cool off and enjoy the water. 'Whether it's a day at the beach or a family break involving water-based activities, it's vital that everyone understands the risks. 'As a fire and rescue service, we're urging the public to be water aware. 'What starts as fun can quickly turn dangerous without the right knowledge. 'The Float to Live campaign provides simple, life-saving advice that can make all the difference in an emergency.' Nick Ayers, RNLI regional water safety lead, said: 'The Circle of Life event at Cullercoats Bay was a powerful visual reminder of the importance of water safety and partnership working. 'Seeing over 40 individuals coming together to promote floating shows just how committed we all are to reducing drowning. 'Float to Live is a simple but effective technique that gives people the best chance of surviving if they get into trouble in the water. 'When panic sets in, floating helps you to regain control, catch your breath and stay calm until help arrives or you can self-rescue.' Jo Talbot, a director at the Royal Life Saving Society UK, said: 'A disproportionate number of people drown in the UK between May and August, and we see an increased number of drownings in periods of extreme heat. 'With the warmer weather and summer school holidays beginning, it is vital that everybody is aware of how to stay water smart and safe this summer. 'World Drowning Prevention Day serves as an important reminder to everyone to equip themselves with the tools and knowledge to stay safe around water.'
