As warmer weather brings more people to the water, the risk of incidents increases. During this hot period, it is especially important that key safety messages are reinforced.
The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) provides a range of resources for professionals, families, and children to support water safety awareness in different settings. These can be found here – Water Safety Advice.
The RLSS Water Safety Code offers simple, easy-to-remember guidance to help people recognise risks and know what to do in an emergency:
Remember the Water Safety Code:
- Stop and Think – Look for hazards (depth, currents, cold water) and enter slowly
- Stay Together – Go with others and choose lifeguarded areas where possible
- Call 999 – Ask for the Coastguard at the coast, or Fire & Rescue inland
- Float – If in trouble, lie on your back and stay calm
Cold Water Shock
Water below 15°C is considered cold and can quickly affect breathing and movement. In the UK and Ireland, water temperatures are often around 12°C, with rivers frequently colder—even in summer.
RNLI advice on Cold Water Shock:
If you enter the water unexpectedly:
- Take a moment — cold water shock passes within the first minute
- Relax and float to live
- Once calm, call for help or swim to safety if you can
If you are planning to enter the water:
- Check conditions, including water temperature
- Wear an appropriate wetsuit where possible
- Use a flotation device to reduce risk
Float to Live
Float to Live is useful to everyone, however you use the water. It has helped save the lives of more than 50 people in all sorts of situations. From children in rip currents to runners falling into canals, from people swept out by waves, to fisherman falling overboard.
The key messages of Float to Live are:
- Tilt your head back, ears submerged
- Relax and control your breathing
- Move hands and feet to stay afloat
