Man dragged out to sea by rip current in Cornwall shares 'Float to Live' survival story
Holidaymaker Jon is supporting the RNLI's summer safety campaign
Last updated 30th May 2022
The RNLI and HM Coastguard have launched a water safety campaign as figures reveal over 11 million people visited south west beaches last summer.
With a recent survey revealing 35 million people are planning to visit UK coastal regions this summer, the charity’s lifesavers are expecting a busy summer ahead.
In a survey commissioned by the RNLI, 86% of the UK adult population (aged 16-64) expect to visit the UK coast or use the beach or sea between now and the end of September, up from 75% this time last year. 42% are expected to go three times or more.
Ahead of the Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend and half-term holidays, the RNLI and HM Coastguard launched its water safety campaign at Falmouth's Gyllyngvase Beach, urging everyone to remember that if you get into trouble in the water, 'Float to Live'.
How do I Float to Live?
Lean back, using your arms and legs to stay afloat. Control your breathing, then call for help or swim to safety. In a coastal emergency, call 999 or 112 for the Coastguard.
In 2021 across the UK, there were 277 deaths from accidental drownings at both inland and coastal locations, an increase of 23 from the previous year. 40% of people had no intention to enter the water, such as those walking, with causes including slips, trips and falls, being cut off by the tide, or swept in by waves .
Using the Float to Live technique significantly helped Jon, from Yorkshire, who was spending the final day of his Cornish holiday paddling waist-deep at Mawgan Porth beach when RNLI lifeguard Alex spotted him being swept out to sea by a very powerful flash rip current.
After multiple attempts to get back to shore and as the rip rapidly dragged him further out to sea, Jon was struggling to keep his head above the water when he remembered RNLI’s safety advice to Float to Live from his training as a police officer and from reading the RNLI’s safety messaging over the years.
By leaning back in the water, extending his arms and legs and resisting the urge to thrash around, Jon managed to gain control of his breathing and stay afloat whilst lifeguard Alex paddled out to him on a rescue board.
After fighting the rip current, Alex was joined by two other lifeguards and they all eventually managed to get Jon onto the rescue watercraft (RWC) and was brought safely to shore.
Jon was in shock and had swallowed a lot of water but was otherwise uninjured. After such a traumatic experience, the lifeguards were impressed with just how well Jon coped with the situation.
He said: "I tried to do everything right but it was completely out of my control.
"The waves were taking me under, I was rolling and getting back up, getting a breath and then my head was back under and that was when I thought 'this is it'.
"When I saw Alex, I had never been so pleased to see anyone in my life.
"All four of the lifeguards did so well, it was stupendous. I cannot find words to thank or praise them enough".
Joel Ninnes, RNLI South West Water Safety Officer says: "As the coast is getting busier now that the warmer weather is here, we'd also like to remind people to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.
"RNLI lifeguards in the south west saved 56 lives and aided 13,402 people in 2021, so just following this simple piece of advice can be lifesaving.
"In addition, we’d urge anybody visiting the coast to always carry a means of calling for help and in a coastal emergency call 999 or 112 for the coastguard".