Health Notes: The life-saving benefits of floating

It’s properly summer (at last) and those of us who live near the coast know the hordes that will descend on the shore for fun in the sea and surf. Problem is, sometimes it isn’t fun at all. A recent study reveals that 32% of Brits don’t know what to do when the going gets choppy and the tide rips.

With increasing demand over the summer, RNLI’s beach lifeguards and volunteer lifeboat crews are stretched. Which is where their Float to Live campaign comes in. This lifesaving technique encourages people experiencing cold water shock to relax and control their breathing, while floating to help initial cold water shock symptoms pass.

Here are key ‘Float to Live’ steps:

Tilt your head back with ears submerged
Relax and try to breathe normally
Move your hands to help you stay afloat
It's OK if your legs sink, we all float differently
Spread your arms and legs to improve stability

But please, be careful. It’s like people who get on a horse when they can’t ride. If you can’t swim, wear a life belt in the sea and in a boat. Always check the tides. If in doubt, stay by the edge and paddle!

For more info, click here