RNLI Urges Public to ‘Float to Live’ as Warm Weather Draws People to the Water

Friday 12 June 2026

As temperatures rise and people head outdoors to enjoy the warmer weather this weekend, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is reminding the public that while the air may feel warm, the water remains dangerously cold.

Float to Live: The RNLI is urging the public to remember this simple lifesaving skill as warmer weather draws more people to the coast, rivers and inland waterways. With water temperatures still dangerously cold, knowing how to float could buy vital time, control your breathing and ultimately save your life in an emergency. Credit: RNLI.

The safety message comes in the wake of several tragic drowning incidents across the UK and Ireland, highlighting the ongoing risks posed by cold-water shock and unexpected immersion.

The RNLI is encouraging everyone to learn and share its potentially life-saving “Float to Live” technique – a simple skill designed to help people survive if they unexpectedly find themselves in difficulty in the water.

According to the charity, more than 50 lives have already been saved by people using the Float to Live technique in a variety of emergency situations.

Cold-water shock can cause an involuntary gasp response, rapid breathing and panic, making it difficult to swim or call for help. Floating helps people regain control of their breathing and conserve energy while awaiting rescue or planning their next move.

The RNLI’s Float to Live advice is straightforward:

• Tilt your head back with your ears submerged.

• Relax and try to breathe normally.

• Move your hands and feet to help you stay afloat.

• Don’t worry if your legs sink – everyone floats differently.

• Practise floating in a supervised local swimming pool whenever possible.

The charity is also urging people to share the advice with family and friends, particularly as more people visit beaches, rivers, lakes and coastal locations during periods of warm weather.

Search and rescue organisations regularly respond to incidents involving people who underestimate the effects of cold water, even on sunny days. Water temperatures around the UK and Ireland can remain low well into the summer months, increasing the risk of cold-water shock.

The RNLI hopes that by raising awareness of the Float to Live technique, more people will be equipped to respond effectively if the unexpected happens.

For more information about the campaign and water safety advice, visit RNLI.org/FloatSkill.

As maritime rescue services continue their efforts to prevent further tragedies, the message is simple: if you find yourself in difficulty in the water, Float to Live.