'Float to live': RNLI issues warning as crowds flock to beaches in East Anglia
We're being encouraged to take care when going to beaches in Norfolk and Suffolk.
Last updated 24th May 2023
With summer approaching and the weather getting warmer- we're all being encouraged to take care when going to beaches in Norfolk and Suffolk.
The RNLI's launched its Float to Live campaign, which urges those who get into trouble in the water to try and float on their back, tilt their head back and relax, before calling for help.
The campaign is launched as the RNLI reveals that 32% of people still do not know what to do if they unexpectedly get into difficulty in the water.
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.
Nick Ayers is the charity's water safety lead in the East: "If you find yourself in trouble, tilt your head back and submerge your ears.
"That will then bring your chest up and ensure your airway is clear of the water.
"We've found a lot of people find it quite hard to get that perfect starfish shape in the water, but really, if you manage to get your head back, you will actually start to float...
"When at the beach, make sure you're looking out for each other, take small children by the and and keep a good eye on them at all times...
"If you're a bystander who spots someone in trouble, don't enter the water. Stand back, help by picking up the phone, dialling 999 and asking for the right emergency service, whether that's the coastguard at the coast, or the fire and rescue service when you're inland."
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 okay if your legs sink, we all float differently