Port Talbot RNLI use volunteer voices to share key safety messages
Port Talbot RNLI have been thinking of creative ways to share their beach and water safety messages to a wider audience.
Port Talbot RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Clive Morris, stood before a camera to deliver some key safety messages highlighting the importance of staying safe in, on and around the water.
Clive, who has volunteered with the RNLI for 42 years (and last year dedicated over 1000 hours to his role), holds a very keen interest in all things water safety. He often delivers talks out in the community, and at the station holds Open Days where visitors can have the opportunity to see and hear advice on all things water safety first-hand.
The video message covers the availability of free lost child wrist bands, the importance of carrying your phone in a waterproof pouch, using a swim buoy and the use of brightly coloured personal floatation devices.
Kirstee David, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at the station said:
'We are thrilled with the response to the video so far. After publishing it on Facebook, it quickly made an impact rapidly reaching over 111,000 views.
'Encouragingly 95% of those views were to 'non- followers' of our page - meaning we are reaching new audiences with our important safety messages, perhaps to those who haven't heard them before.'
The shares and engagement of the video were the highest ever seen on Port Talbot Lifeboat Station's Facebook page and the station has gained hundreds of new followers across their social media platforms since.
What makes this message even more poignant is that just hours after the message was circulated, volunteer crew were tasked by HM Coastguard at 4.46pm to multiple paddlerboarders and people on inflatables being blown out to sea due to freshening offshore winds.
Clive said:
‘It's fantastic to see how well the video has done and the new audience it's reached. It's definitely somehting we'll look to continue.
'I know first-hand the value of sharing the RNLI's water safety messages to highlight the importance of staying safe in, on and around the water.
'The sea, rivers and lakes can be unpredictable and being aware of the risks helps prevent accidents before they happen. By sharing key advice I want to encourage people to take simple but vital steps that could make the difference between a safe day out and a tragedy.
'Ultimately the aim was to educate, reduce risks and prevent potential loss of life through greater awareness and planning’
The video message also focuses on being well prepared, from wearing lifejackets to carrying a means of calling for help. Understanding tide times and the weather is important and taking these steps can save lives.
If you get into difficulty in the water, remember Float to Live:
- Tilt your head back with your ears submerged
- Relax and try to breathe normally
- Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat
- It’s OK if your legs sink, we all float differently
- Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety.
If you see someone else in trouble in the water – Call, Tell, Throw:
- Call 999 or 112
- Tell them to Float To Live
- Throw them something that floats.
For more information please contact Port Talbot RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Kirstee David on [email protected].
Alternatively contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected] or 07977 728 315.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.